Sandesh Jhingan's cheekbone fracture and subsequent surgery have left India's Asian Cup qualifying hopes hanging in the balance. With the veteran sidelined, centre-back partner Anwar Ali will now be tasked with anchoring the defence.
India face Afghanistan on September 4 in a must-win CAFA Nations Cup clash in Tajikistan. Eighteen months after their shock Guwahati defeat, the Blue Tigers aim for redemption, a place in the final, and renewed confidence.