The Blue Tigers head coach has made several contentious selections for the squad.

Igor Stimac announced the India squad for the training camp leading up to the FIFA World Cup qualifier Vs Qatar on 26th March. The first 23-man party will assemble for training on March 9th, while the second batch which comprises of players from the top four Indian Super League teams will gather after the competition finishes.

Despite calling a host of newcomers into the squad, Stimac snubbed some top performers from the ISL and the I-League. These players who boosted their side to newer heights this season have been left out for certain other under-performing national team regulars, crushing their ambitions of playing under the Croatian.

Here are the top five performers in Indian football who didn’t get a call-up for the upcoming qualifier training camp:

5. Mohammad Nawaz (FC Goa)

Nawaz has been excellent under the bar for the Gaurs this season maintaining five clean-sheets

For all of Stimac’s ambitions of making the Blue Tigers play attractive football, snubbing a natural ball-playing goalkeeper like Mohammad Nawaz is bewildering. The young FC Goa custodian has been superb between the sticks, having kept five clean-sheets in the league stages and made crucial saves almost every match to keep them afloat.

Not only is he an ISL league-stage winner, but Nawaz’s excellent 85.6% passing accuracy is the best for any goalkeeper in the league. He knows how to play the ball out of defence, make crucial saves and keep a calm head. With the youngster set to appear for Goa in the AFC Champions League next season, some national team exposure would’ve done him a world of good.

4. Sk. Sahil (Mohun Bagan)

The initial national camp will be seeing many new young faces for India, with Sumit Rathi, Jeakson Singh, Lalengmawia, Shubham Sarangi all being rewarded for their impressive work in the ISL. But, one equally talented player to be ignored is Mohun Bagan’s midfield dynamite Sk. Sahil.

The youngster has climbed to newer heights under Kibu Vicuna’s guidance. He is putting in hard-hitting performances in midfield to allow the Mariners to dominate every game. Sahil’s distribution, tenacity to protect his backline and fearless attitude have exemplified Bagan’s spirit this season. Yet, even after putting in memorable performances against more experienced figures, Sahil must keep waiting for his maiden national team cap.

3. Jessel Carneiro (Kerala Blasters)

Jessel Carneiro bloomed very late in his career, but made the most of his opportunity at Kerala Blasters this season. The 29-year-old took to the ISL with ease, being a real livewire down the left wing for the Blasters. His fantastic set-piece techniques spurred on his side, also gaining him five assists despite playing at left-back.

Carneiro’s defensive fortitude was evident in his tireless performances, as he averaged 4+ clearances per game. He excelled at both ends of the field in his debut ISL campaign after transitioning from the Goa Pro League. But, despite his heroics for Eelco Schattorie’s side, Carneiro was also cruelly snubbed for the national camp.

2. Nongdamba Naorem (Mohun Bagan)

When Igor Stimac recently praised the I-League teams and even announced a match between the national team against I-League stars for next month, it indicated that he’d call somebody from the league to his squad. But alas, nobody, not even the brilliant Nongdamba Naorem made the cut. It’s especially cruel for Naorem who has risen to newer heights at I-League runaway leaders Bagan. He’s been tormenting defenders with his dribbling ability and clever movement.

Naorem’s brilliant performance in the Kolkata Derby, where he got an assist to spirit the Mariners’ victory, proved how much he’s grown under Vicuna. He’s scored four goals and got two assists, showcasing better decision-making than many domestic wingers in the country. But, even after excelling in front of the national team coach, Naorem can’t find a place in the preliminary India squad Vs Qatar.

1. Lenny Rodrigues (FC Goa)

At this point, it almost feels like it’s not in Lenny Rodrigues’ destiny to get a national team call-up. He’s been the backbone of Goa’s dominance in the ISL this season, being a midfield figure many have relied upon time and again. Rodrigues’ industrious work in the middle has allowed the Gaurs to play a free-flowing style, without having to worry much about counter-attacks. With an excellent 86.53% passing accuracy, his ability to distribute play is second to none.

Averaging 4+ tackles, 2+ interceptions and clearances per game proves how hard-working he is for the cause. Among the best midfielders in the ISL both statistically and performance-wise, he has helped Goa achieve AFC Champions League qualification. Despite that, all his heroics seem to fall on deaf ears as Rodrigues has unfairly been snubbed from the India squad Vs Qatar.