Kolkata: Defender Sandesh Jhingan was on Thursday ruled out of India’s Group E FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh to be played at the Saltlake Stadium.
The India right back, who made an impact in India’s gallant goalless draw against Qatar last month, sustained an ankle injury during a friendly match against North East United in Guwahati on Wednesday.
“Owing to an injury sustained in the friendly game against NEUFC, Sandesh Jhingan has been ruled out from the forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on October 15. We wish him a speedy recovery,” the All India Football Federation tweeted.
Often hailed as one of the best Indian defenders, Jinghan is the defensive mainstay and was a rock at the back in both their Group E World Cup qualifying games so far — India pulling off a famous 0-0 draw against Asian champions Qatar in Doha after narrowly losing to Oman 1-2 in their qualifying opener in Guwahati.
“Sandesh underwent an MRI on Thursday morning. But reports indicated that he won’t get fit in time to play against Bangladesh,” an AIFF statement said late in the day.
India are scheduled to host Bangladesh in at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Tuesday (October 15)
