The decision to recall Sunil Chhetri was slammed by India legend Bhaichung Bhutia, who felt that it would hamper the development of Indian football.

Sunil Chhetri returns to football at 40 – a year after retiring – to boost India’s Asia Cup qualification hopes.

Sunil Chhetri is coming out of retirement at age 40 to help India in qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup. India recalled the veteran striker this week for the March 25 qualifier against Bangladesh. Chhetri is third among active international scorers with 94,

FIFA window is of utmost importance to India, and the decision to recall Sunil Chhetri hasn't been well-received by Bhaichung Bhutia.

Chhetri retired after India's 0-0 draw against Kuwait in June last year -- a result that played a role in the team missing out on qualifying for the next round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Indian football lived out its annus horribilis.Mostly under former coach Igor Stimac – a defender who had helped Croatia win third place at the 1998 World Cup in France — the national team failed to log in even a single international win to its name.

Need to win Asian Cup qualifiers, says India head coach explaining why he got the 40-year-old to come out of international retirement

Legendary Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri made headlines recently by announcing his return to international football almost nine months after hanging up his boots for the Blue Tigers. The centre forwards' return has divided the Indian fan base;

Sunil Chhetri has performed a retirement U-turn as he will be back in India colours during the March international window, AIFF announced on March 6. Chhetri retired from football in 2024.

Sunil Chhetri, 40, returns from international retirement to rejoin the Indian national football team. He was persuaded by coach Manolo Marquez to join the squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.