Defender mehtab singh

FIFA International Friendly: The Indian senior men's team will face Maldives in a FIFA International Friendly on Wednesday, March 19 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. The game will also be India's all-time top scorer Sunil Chhetri's first match since announcing his return to international football.

Head coach Manolo Marquez also confirmed Sunil Chhetri's involvement in the friendly match that will mark his 152nd cap for India and backed his decision to return from retirement by stating his team needs to win games, not develop players.

"For sure, Sunil will play some minutes. I don't know whether as a starter or from the bench. We can use six substitutions, so 17 players can play, and I think Sunil will be one of them.