NEW DELHI: Veteran striker Bhaichung Bhutia is set to make a return to the Indian football squad as he was named in the 32 probables for the three-match series against archrivals Pakistan in England starting August 25.
The tour, which has been dubbed as ‘Clash of the Titans — India-Pakistan UK tour,’ ends on September 11 with matches to be held in Manchester, Coventry and London.
Sources in the All India Football Federation said that the former skipper will play in England against Pakistan provided he is fully fit.
Bhutia was earlier dropped from the list of 42 probables named for India’s World Cup football qualifier against UAE on July 23 and July 28.
This is the first-time ever that India would be playing a three-match series against Pakistan in a neutral venue.
The last time the two nations were involved in a three-match series was in 2005 in Pakistan, which India won on goal-difference after the series was deadlocked 1-1.
The first match of the English tour would be played on August 25 in Manchester, followed by the second game in Coventry on September 3 before London hosts the final match on September 9.
The Probables:
Goalkeepers: Subrata Pal, Laxmikant Kattimani, Jagroop Singh, Ravi Kumar.
Defenders: Debabrata Roy, Raju Eknath Gaikwad, Deepak Devrani, Nirmal Chhetri, Arnab Mondal, R.Vishal Kumar, Abhishek Das, Lalrozama Fanai, Sabas Saleel, Gurjinder Kumar, Shouvik Ghosh.
Midfielders: Renedy Singh, Jewel Raja Sheikh, Shilton D’Silva, Gilbert Oliveira, Ongnam Milan Singh, Jibon Singh, Subodh Kumar, Lalrindika Ralte, Snehasish Chakraborthy, Anthony Barbosa, Zakir Mundampara.
Forwards: Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sabeeth CS, Bijendra Rai, Bineesh Balan. (PTI)