Indian footballer Sumit Rathi has praised India head coach Khalid Jamil for establishing a transparent, merit-driven approach in the national team setup that prioritises player strengths over rigid tactical impositions. Speaking to reports, Rathi highlighted Jamil's understanding of Indian footballers as a decisive advantage in building team cohesion and healthy internal competition.

What Rathi said about Jamil's philosophy

Rathi emphasised that Jamil does not dictate playing styles or blame players for external constraints. "His vision is very clear. He won't go to the players and say that you have to do this. He won't complain that we didn't play in one style or didn't get enough training sessions. He tells us to do what is our strong point," Rathi said. The footballer added that Jamil encourages players to refine their natural strengths rather than conform to a singular system. "He will never force the players to do what he wants. You have to do what you can do best, what you have been doing for your club and country, but you have to find the best version of that," Rathi explained.

Indian coaches and player understanding

Rathi underscored a key structural advantage: Indian coaches' innate familiarity with the temperament and context of Indian footballers. This cultural and professional alignment, he argued, creates a more receptive team environment compared to foreign counterparts unfamiliar with domestic league dynamics and player backgrounds.

Merit-based selection and league monitoring

Jamil has dismantled reputation-based squad selection, instead rewarding current form across both the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League. Rathi revealed that Jamil personally attends matches from both leagues, a hands-on approach that signals genuine investment in identifying in-form talent. "He gives chances to the players he likes and the ones performing well for their clubs. The player who does well should get a chance. He should be called to the camp and given a chance to represent the national team," Rathi noted.

Jamil's track record and appointment

At 48 years old, Khalid Jamil became the first Indian-born head coach to take full-time charge of the men's national team in over a decade when appointed in August 2024. He immediately stabilised the squad, leading a depleted contingent to a bronze medal at the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup with victories over Tajikistan and Oman. Prior to his national team role, Jamil established a domestic coaching pedigree: he guided Aizawl FC to the I-League title in 2017 and later managed NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC in the ISL.

Building competition and morale

By decoupling squad selection from established hierarchies and league affiliations, Jamil has elevated internal competition. Players now understand that consistent club form translates directly into national team opportunities, a shift that Rathi believes has energised the squad and raised performance standards across the board.