Indian football could be witnessing the beginning of a significant transition between the posts, with head coach Khalid Jamil leaving veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu out of the 23-member squad for the upcoming international friendlies against New Zealand.

The former India captain is among the notable omissions from the squad announced on November 6, as Jamil opted for Hrithik Tiwari, Som Kumar and Vishal Kaith as his three goalkeeping choices for the two-match series.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu dropped from India squad

Gurpreet's exclusion comes after India's disappointing 0-4 defeat against Brazil in October, where the experienced goalkeeper endured a difficult outing. While the omission does not necessarily signal the end of his international career, it represents an important selection decision from Jamil.

At 34, Gurpreet remains one of India's most experienced players, having been a regular presence in the national setup for several years. His leadership and international experience have made him an important figure for the Blue Tigers, but the latest squad suggests that the coaching staff are willing to explore alternatives.

Opportunities for New Crop

Tiwari, Som Kumar and Kaith now have an opportunity to strengthen their claims for a regular place in the national team. Their inclusion also gives Jamil a chance to assess different options ahead of India's upcoming international assignments.

The two matches against New Zealand will provide a valuable test. The All Whites, who have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will host India in Auckland on November 12 before the teams meet again in Christchurch on November 15.

For India, these fixtures are about more than just results. They offer an opportunity to evaluate personnel, improve defensive organisation and build consistency against stronger international opposition.

Tiwari has been excellent for Odisha FC in recent times, while Kaith has been a mainstay for Mohun Bagan in the league and other competitions. Young Som plays his club football in Slovenia with ND Slovan, and is likely to remain among the substitutes.

Jamil has described New Zealand as a strong opponent and emphasised the importance of using the away fixtures to improve as a team. Gurpreet, meanwhile, will sit out for these two friendlies, but it will be premature to conclude his career in Blue is in tatters. Whether Gurpreet returns to the national setup in subsequent windows remains to be seen. For now, India's goalkeeping hierarchy has an interesting new dimension, with three contenders competing for opportunities in the absence of the usual number one.

Story first published: Monday, November 9, 2026, 16:26 [IST]

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