FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Rahul Bheke ruled out of Bangladesh game with injury

Defender Rahul Bheke, who was named by Igor Stimac in the probable squad, has been ruled out of the World Cup qualifier game against Bangladesh due to injury.

Rahul Bheke made his national team debut in the King's Cup at Thailand in June.

Defender Rahul Bheke was on Wednesday ruled out of India’s upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match against Bangladesh due to an injury.

The Bengaluru FC player was part of the 29-man list of probables chosen by head coach Igor Stimac for a preparatory camp in Guwahati ahead of the match on October 15 in Kolkata.

“Owing to an injury, @RahulBheke will not be able to join the #BlueTigers’ preparatory camp before @FIFAWorldCup qualifier against Bangladesh. We wish him a speedy recovery,” the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on its twitter handle without mentioning the nature and extent of the injury.

The 28-year-old made his national team debut at the King’s Cup in June and played in both the World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Qatar.

India had lost 1-2 to Oman in Guwahati on September 5 while notching up a 0-0 draw against Asian champion Qatar on September 10 in Doha.

After the match against Bangladesh in Kolkata, India will play against Afghanistan and Oman on November 14 and 19 respectively, away from home.

 

28-man probable squad so far: Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Kamaljit Singh. Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Nishu Kumar, Sandesh Jhingan, Adil Khan, Narender, Sarthak Golui, Anas Edathodika, Anwar Ali (Jr.), Mandar Rao Dessai, Subhasish Bose, Jerry Lalrinzuala Midfielders: Udanta Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Vinit Rai, Anirudh Thapa, Abdul Sahal, Raynier Fernandes, Brandon Fernandes, Halicharan Narzary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Ashique Kuruniyan Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Balwant Singh, Manvir Singh, Farukh Choudhary