Khalid Jamil drops Gurpreet as India name squad for New Zealand friendlies
By Tanishq BhattEntertainment Writer, Peepals Global
Representative image: jarmoluk / Pixabay
Khalid Jamil named a 23-man India squad without Gurpreet Singh Sandhu on 6 November 2026 for friendlies in New Zealand on 12 and 15 November.
What Happened
India's men's football coach Khalid Jamil named a 23-player squad on Friday, 6 November 2026 for two friendlies against New Zealand during the November FIFA international window. India play New Zealand on Thursday, 12 November at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, kicking off at 11:30 am India time, and on Sunday, 15 November at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, at 8:30 am India time. Veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was left out, and defender Anwar Ali was ruled out with a hamstring injury. The squad assembles in Bengaluru on Saturday, 7 November, trains on Sunday and flies to Auckland that night, according to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Key Facts
- Matches: New Zealand vs India, Thursday, 12 November 2026, Go Media Stadium, Auckland, 11:30 IST; Sunday, 15 November 2026, One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch, 08:30 IST.
- Goalkeepers (3): Hrithik Tiwari, Som Kumar, Vishal Kaith.
- Defenders (8): Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Bijoy Varghese, Jay Gupta, Mehtab Singh, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei Haobam, Roshan Singh Naorem.
- Midfielders (6): Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Jithin MS, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Tomba Singh Haobam.
- Forwards (6): David Lalhlansanga, Edmund Lalrindika, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Muhammad Suhail, Ryan Williams.
- Left out or unavailable: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (not selected), Anwar Ali (hamstring injury), Ronney Kharbudon (injury).
- Travel: squad meets in Bengaluru on 7 November, trains on 8 November, leaves for Auckland that night.
Why It Matters
Friendlies during FIFA windows are the national team's main chance to play stronger opponents and test new players between competitive matches. A two-match tour to New Zealand gives India two away games against an opponent from outside Asia, a useful test of how the squad copes with travel and unfamiliar conditions.
The squad also shows Jamil's selection choices. Leaving out the experienced goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is the biggest change reported, and it opens the door for Vishal Kaith, Hrithik Tiwari or Som Kumar. Young attacking players such as Edmund Lalrindika and Muhammad Suhail have a chance to show what they can do at international level alongside experienced names like Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco.
The absence of Anwar Ali, described as a key defender, means a reshaped back line, with players such as Mehtab Singh, Roshan Singh Naorem and Akash Mishra likely to be tested.
For fans in India, the timings are early: the first match starts at 11:30 am and the second at 8:30 am India time, because New Zealand is several hours ahead.
Peepals calculation: The squad splits into 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 6 midfielders and 6 forwards (3 + 8 + 6 + 6 = 23). Defenders make up about 35% of the group (8 / 23 ≈ 0.35). The two matches are three days apart, from Thursday, 12 November to Sunday, 15 November, and the team leaves India four days before the first match. Our calculation from the reported figures.
| Match | Date | Venue | Kick-off (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand vs India | Thursday, 12 November 2026 | Go Media Stadium, Auckland | 11:30 |
| New Zealand vs India | Sunday, 15 November 2026 | One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch | 08:30 |
Impact
Short-term: The team has one full training day in Bengaluru before travelling, so preparation will continue in New Zealand.
Long-term: The tour helps Jamil settle on a goalkeeper and a defensive pairing, and gives younger players international minutes ahead of future competitive matches.
Who is affected: India's players and coaching staff, Indian Super League clubs whose players are called up, and football fans following the national team.
What to watch next: the first friendly in Auckland on 12 November 2026 and the second in Christchurch on 15 November.
Key Takeaway
Khalid Jamil named a 23-man India squad without Gurpreet Singh Sandhu for friendlies against New Zealand in Auckland on 12 November and Christchurch on 15 November 2026.
Questions and Answers
When does India play New Zealand in football?
India play New Zealand on Thursday, 12 November 2026 in Auckland at 11:30 am India time, and on Sunday, 15 November 2026 in Christchurch at 8:30 am India time.
Is Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in India's squad for the New Zealand friendlies?
No. Khalid Jamil left out Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The goalkeepers named are Hrithik Tiwari, Som Kumar and Vishal Kaith.
Why is Anwar Ali not in the India squad?
Anwar Ali was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Ronney Kharbudon is also out injured.
Who are India's forwards for the New Zealand friendlies?
The forwards are David Lalhlansanga, Edmund Lalrindika, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Muhammad Suhail and Ryan Williams.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Tanishq Bhatt, Entertainment WriterCovers Entertainment and more for Peepals Global. All stories by Tanishq Bhatt
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Tanishq Bhatt is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
