India to send second-string side to SAFF Championship, says report

India are set to prioritise two international friendlies against New Zealand in November over the SAFF Championship in Dhaka, according to a Times of India report.

The report said India are likely to send their senior team to New Zealand for the friendlies, while an Under-23 or reserve-heavy side could be sent to defend their SAFF Championship title in Dhaka.

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The decision is linked to a scheduling clash, with the SAFF Championship running from November 4 to 17 and the FIFA international window beginning on November 7.

India coach Khalid Jamil reportedly wants his strongest squad to face New Zealand, who featured at the 2026 World Cup, believing that matches against stronger opposition would benefit the national team.

"When the friendlies against teams that played at the FIFA World Cup were offered, I agreed with the federation decision," Jamil was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

The development could have a significant impact on the SAFF Championship, where India are the defending champions and will face Maldives and Pakistan in the group stage.

Bangladesh are in the other group alongside Sri Lanka and Bhutan.