The announcement of Khalid Jamil’s first squad as head coach of the Indian men’s national football team has generated immense discussion but no name has sparked more intrigue than Sunil Benchamin.
At 32, the Army Red defender, with minimal recent statistical record to his name, finds himself among the 35 probables preparing for the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. His inclusion is not just a personal milestone but a symbol of the new direction Jamil is charting for the Blue Tigers.
Khalid Jamil’s appointment itself was historic. He is the first Indian full-time head coach since Sukhvinder Singh in 2005 and the first at any capacity since Savio Medeira in 2012. Unlike his predecessors, mostly foreign managers, Jamil brings decades of experience navigating India’s football ecosystem from guiding Aizawl FC to a fairytale I-League title in 2017 to playoff finishes with NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC. His reputation as a “quiet achiever” rests on making the most of limited resources, unearthing overlooked talent, and building disciplined, hardworking teams.
His first task is the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, where India face Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The bigger target, however, is the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Singapore in October. In preparation, Jamil unveiled a 35-man list of probables, larger than the usual squads of past coaches, signaling his intention to broaden the net and evaluate players across the domestic spectrum.
Benchamin: From Army Red to Blue Tigers
Among the probables, Sunil Benchamin’s selection was the most surprising. A Kerala-born defender, Benchamin currently plays for Army Red on an amateur contract. His resume includes stints at TRAU FC and Diamond Harbour FC, but his most recent public record in the Durand Cup 2025 shows only a single 90-minute outing, with no goals or assists. On paper, his profile doesn’t match the typical national team call-up.
So why did Jamil include him?
The answer lies in the coach’s eye for qualitative attributes rather than headline statistics. Benchamin, shaped by the Army football system, is known for his discipline, positional awareness, and no-nonsense defending. Such qualities rarely make it to public stat sheets but are invaluable to a coach who prizes hard work, defensive structure, and tactical discipline. For Jamil, this is not about rewarding fame but about finding players who can make a difference in tight situations. Benchamin’s selection suggests that the new regime will not overlook players outside the ISL limelight if they embody the values Jamil seeks, they will be given a chance.
The inclusion of Alex Saji from Hyderabad FC offers a useful contrast. Unlike Benchamin, Saji’s selection is strongly supported by numbers: 21 ISL appearances, 114 clearances, 75 duels won, and consistent defensive performances despite his team’s struggles. His case represents the data-backed pick, while Benchamin is the intuition-backed choice. Together, they highlight Jamil’s dual strategy of balancing measurable performance with qualitative judgment.
Benchamin’s presence in the squad is about more than just one player. It reflects a philosophical shift in Indian football:
- Merit over reputation – Established players cannot take their places for granted.
- Domestic scouting at the forefront – Even those in Army or I-League sides will be considered if they perform.
- Tactical depth in defense – Benchamin brings experience and discipline, complementing younger defenders like Saji.
- Message to players across tiers – Hard work and dedication will be noticed, regardless of club or contract status.
This inclusive approach can broaden the national team’s talent pool and foster greater competition for places, long a weakness in Indian football.
The CAFA Nations Cup provides the perfect stage for Jamil to test his philosophy. For players like Benchamin, the tournament is a make-or-break opportunity to show they can step up to international football. If he adapts well, it will validate Jamil’s faith in unconventional selections and reinforce the belief that the national team is open to anyone willing to put in the work. Beyond results, the tournament offers Jamil time to experiment with systems, refine his defensive structure, and assess which of his new inclusions can transition effectively into the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Sunil Benchamin may not have been a household name before August 2025, but his selection has become the headline of Khalid Jamil’s first squad. It embodies the spirit of a meritocratic, no-compromise national team culture, where effort, discipline, and tactical fit matter more than prestige. Whether Benchamin cements his place or not, his call-up alone has already achieved something significant it has sent a signal to every Indian footballer that the door to the national team is open wider than ever before. For Khalid Jamil, that is the essence of his bold new era.
