India U20 name 30-man squad for Singapore friendlies ahead of AFC qualifiers
Synopsis
India's U20 football side has named a 30-man squad drawn from 102 national trialists for back-to-back Singapore friendlies in Bengaluru — the final dress rehearsal before the Blue Colts face Uzbekistan, Syria, and Bangladesh in Tashkent at the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.
Key Takeaways
Mahesh Gawali named a 30-member India U20 squad on 2 August for friendlies against Singapore on 3 and 6 August in Bengaluru .
Both matches will be played behind closed doors at the Centre for Sports Excellence , kicking off at 7 pm IST .
The squad was finalised after 102 players from across India participated in national trials.
India are placed in Group B of the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers alongside Uzbekistan , Syria , and Bangladesh in Tashkent .
The Blue Colts open their qualifier campaign against Syria on 31 August .
India have won both previous official U20 meetings against Singapore, including the 1974 AFC Youth Championship .
India U20 men's football team head coach Mahesh Gawali on Sunday, 2 August announced a 30-member squad for two international friendlies against Singapore, to be played at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru on 3 August and 6 August. The matches serve as final preparation ahead of the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers, with both fixtures scheduled to kick off at 7 pm IST behind closed doors.
Squad Composition and Selection Process
The 30-member squad comprises four goalkeepers, 12 defenders, 11 midfielders, and 10 forwards. The selection followed an extensive national trials process at The Sports School and the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru, where 102 players from across the country were assessed before the final roster was confirmed.
The goalkeepers named are Jaskaran Dub, Pranav Sundarraman, Shuhaid Koya Thangal PS, and Suraj Singh Aheibam. The defensive unit includes Arshvir Singh, Asher Rebello, Ashik Adhikari, Bungson Singh Takhellambam, Karish Soram, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum, and Yaipharemba Chingakham. Midfield options include Aniket Yadav, Dallalmuon Gangte, Danny Meitei Laishram, Levis Zangminlun, Md Arbash, Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjam, Rishikanta Meitei Laishram, Samson Ahongshangbam, and Shami Singamayum. The forward line features Agastya Bhat, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Hateem Ali, Nirupam Gowda H, Omang Dodum, Prashan Jajo, Rohen Singh Chaphamayum, Vishal Yadav, and Yohaan Benjamin.
Qualifier Draw and India's Campaign Schedule
India have been placed in Group B of the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers, alongside hosts Uzbekistan, Syria, and Bangladesh, with all matches to be played in Tashkent. The Blue Colts open their campaign against Syria on 31 August, before facing Uzbekistan on 3 September and Bangladesh on 6 September. The qualifiers follow a centralised single round-robin format, with eight group winners and the seven best second-placed teams advancing to the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027.
India vs Singapore: Historical Context
This is not the first time the two sides have crossed paths at the U20 level. India and Singapore have met twice in official U20 competition, with the Blue Colts winning on both occasions in the AFC Youth Championship. India recorded a 4-1 victory in 1966 and defeated Singapore in a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals of the 1974 edition — a tournament India went on to win. More recently, the two sides split a pair of U19 friendlies in Goa in 2017, with India winning the first 7-2 before Singapore claimed the second 1-0.
Support Staff
The coaching setup backing Gawali includes assistant coach MG Ramachandran, goalkeeping coach Parshuram Salwadi, and strength and conditioning coach Anugrah Suresh. The coaching staff is expected to use the two Singapore friendlies to finalise tactical combinations ahead of the continental qualifiers next month.
With Tashkent on the horizon, how India's young guns perform in Bengaluru this week will offer the clearest indication yet of the Blue Colts' readiness for the continental stage.
Point of View
But the real measure will come in Tashkent, not Bengaluru. Group B is unforgiving: hosts Uzbekistan are among Central Asia's stronger U20 sides, and India's record in AFC continental qualifiers at this age group has rarely translated into deep runs. The Singapore friendlies are closed-door exercises, which limits public accountability for form and selection. If the Blue Colts are to break a pattern of early exits, the coaching staff must use these two matches to lock in a system — not just rotate combinations.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is in the India U20 squad for the Singapore friendlies?
The 30-member squad includes four goalkeepers — Jaskaran Dub, Pranav Sundarraman, Shuhaid Koya Thangal PS, and Suraj Singh Aheibam — along with 12 defenders, 11 midfielders, and 10 forwards. The full roster was announced by head coach Mahesh Gawali on 2 August.
When and where are the India vs Singapore U20 friendlies?
The two friendlies will be played on 3 August and 6 August at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru, with both matches kicking off at 7 pm IST behind closed doors.
Which group is India in for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers?
India have been drawn in Group B alongside hosts Uzbekistan, Syria, and Bangladesh. All group matches will be played in Tashkent, with India opening against Syria on 31 August.
How do teams qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027?
The qualifiers use a centralised single round-robin format. The eight group winners and the seven best second-placed teams across all qualifying groups will advance to the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027.
What is India's head-to-head record against Singapore at U20 level?
India have won both official U20 meetings against Singapore. They beat Singapore 4-1 in 1966 and defeated them in a penalty shootout in the 1974 AFC Youth Championship quarter-finals — a tournament India went on to win.
