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The Indian football team has confirmed that forward Manvir Singh has been released from the Indian squad due to an injury ahead of the crucial match against Maldives.
As per the official statement posted by the Indian team on social media, the Mohun Bagan SG forward has left the camp in Shillong and will return to Kolkata.
🚨 #BlueTigers SQUAD UPDATE 🇮🇳
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025
Manvir Singh has been released from the Indian squad due to an injury. Manvir has left the camp in Shillong and will return to Kolkata.#IndianFootball ⚽
India will play Maldives this evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, where the match is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm IST.
Big blow for team India
Manvir, the 29-year-old forward who has been a consistent representative for the Indian team on international stages in recent times, has faced an injury that forced him to drop out of the squad.
Manvir Singh has netted 7 goals in 46 appearances for the Blue Tigers, making him one of the crucial pieces of the Indian attacking line-up.
The forward has also scored five goals and provided four assists in 23 appearances for Mohun Bagan SG in the ongoing ISL 2024-25, earning him a deserving call-up for the national team.
Coincidentally, it was Manvir who had drawn the first blood against Maldives in the SAFF Championship game on 13 October 2021, when the last time these two sides met as India earned a 3-1 victory.
India has been winless in 2024, whereas the Blue Tigers last won a match on 16 November 2023, beating Kuwait 1-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup second-round qualifiers. It was Manvir who scored the only goal.
With Manvir Singh sidelined due to injury, who should start in place of him?
— All India Football (@AllIndiaFtbl) March 19, 2025
❤ for Farukh
🔄 for Irfan
💭 any other player. #indiavsbangladesh #AllIndiaFootball #AIFF #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/ZnKZpKUcoV
However, this injury blow leaves him out of the squad and will bring more pressure on Sunil Chhetri, who recently came out of retirement to represent India again.
Another forward, Lallianzuala Chhangte also suffered an injury during the ISL group stage, resulting in his exclusion from the Indian squad. Manvir being sidelined now further limits India's attacking options.
The Manolo Marquez-coached Indian team will face Maldives prior to the crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier, in which they will compete against Bangladesh on March 25.