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Why him?
Whenever the coach of any national team announced his squad, the talk always revolves around his selection of players.
India are scheduled to play China in an international friendly this Saturday, October 13, and the match kicks off at 5.05 pm IST on Star Sports Network and Jio TV. The buzz after the Indian national football team coach Stephen Constantine announced his 22 travelling contingent is no different.
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Some who deserve to be on the national team have either been ignored as their style of play does not match Constantine's philosophy, while others like Balwant Singh had to be left out due to problems in obtaining a visa.
It's the first time that a senior Indian football team will play a friendly in China and there are surprise call-ups in this 22-man squad too.
India have lost 12 out of 17 meetings with China and have never recorded a win over the neighbours in history. Given that this is an important fixture which will help in India's preparations for the 2019 Asian Cup, it's surprising that Constantine picked a couple of guys who do not deserve to be part of the squad at this point of time.
Sportskeeda takes a look at five of those questionable call-ups to the national team.
But first, here are the 22 guys who have travelled to China.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not that of Sportskeeda
#5 Halicharan Narzary
The Kokrajhar native has been a regular member of Constantine's 'YES' list for some time now. Narzary has featured in 21 games since Constantine's second stint with the Indian national team but has largely underperformed. He has scored just once in his 21 games for India in the last three years.
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Although the 24-year-old did find the back of the net against Mumbai City FC for Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League, Narzary has been ineffective in front of the goal for the larger part of the last three years. He didn't score even once for NorthEast United FC during the previous ISL season and has overall managed just 12 goals in his club career of 105 games.
Being a winger, Narzary needs to improve on his pace to make sharper runs up and down the flank. Not just that, Narzary also needs to learn to shield the ball better as he often lost possession for India during the Intercontinental Cup held in Mumbai.
#4 Vinit Rai
One of the many debutants under Constantine, Vinit Rai is yet another questionable inclusion in the squad. The 20-year-old central midfielder has seldom featured for his club Delhi Dynamos in the previous two ISL seasons.
Other central midfielders like Nandhakumar S and Lallianzuala Chhangte have been overlooked, which has left fans wondering whether the selection process to the national team is really effective.
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Rai has played just five games in the last two years and has failed to convince in Minerva Punjab and Delhi Dynamos. He showed a lot of promise when he landed on the big stage back in 2014 when he made his professional debut with Dempo Sports in the I-League. But the Assam-based midfielder has been inconsistent to say the least.
#3 Rowllin Borges
A regular for NorthEast United since his arrival in Guwahati, Goa-based Rowllin Borges has had a few notable good outings in the last three years. In the recent times, however, Borges' passing has been inaccurate and the failure to link up play with fellow wingers at NorthEast United - and East Bengal before - has made him yet another questionable inclusion in the national team.
Borges' inaccuracy in passing results in the team losing possession before the players could mount an attack. Being a defensive midfielder, the ability to hold the ball and control the rhythm of the game becomes quite essential and Borges has been unable to impress in that aspect.
He instead ends up playing long balls instead of finding a simpler pass. He sometimes even goes for goal from long range but doesn't even test the opposition keeper.
Both NorthEast United and East Bengal have conceded a lot of goals against the run of play when they have had Borges playing the role of a defensive midfielder.
#2 Pritam Kotal
A veteran right back in Indian football, Pritam Kotal has been the face of the Indian defence at the right side of the wing. However, his recent form in the Indian Super League has been below average.
Kotal has been getting the nod ahead of youngster Jerry Lalrinzuala by head coach Stephen Constantine despite a poor show in the ISL. Kotal isn't as quick as he was before and often goes for the ball too late.
Kotal, similar to Rowllin Borges, has a massive liking for long balls. When Kotal lobs the ball into the attacking third instead of building up the attack, it only ends in the team giving away the possession quite easily to the opposition.
As a defender, Kotal has not been able to catch up to opposition attackers. India have conceded a couple of penalties because of Kotal's late challenges and given that he will come up against energetic Chinese wingers in Lei Wu and Mirahmetjan Muzepper, Constantine's choice is questionable indeed.
#1 Sumeet Passi
Passi has always been the most questionable call-up to the national team.
It took him some time to finally net two goals for India in the SAFF Cup but his game has been unsatisfactory at club level. He has never been able to cement his place at the starting line-up of the clubs he has played so far and yet, he has always managed to make Constantine's list before any national team fixtures. He has found the net just thrice in 25 games across five years, and yet finds himself along with regular scorers like Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua in the squad.
Passi's average finishing and skills on and off the ball has been the most revealing fact about his playing style.
Passi's inclusion over performing forwards like Michael Soosairaj, Laldanmawia Ralte and Manvir Singh is indeed surprising.
