Sandesh Jhingan, two other players added to Chhetri-led Indian team for Asian Games

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Friday said that senior defender Sandesh Jhingan will be joining the Indian squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, arriving at a consensus amid the club versus country conundrum. Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri will be spearheading the Indian challenge and besides his longtime teammate Jhingan, he will also be able to avail the services of Chinglensana Singh and Lalchungnunga as AIFF added the duo in the squad. India head coach Igor Stimac, who has been urging the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to release their players for national duty, said, "It's a wonderful development that some experienced players have been added to the Asian Games squad, who will certainly help the cause of the team.

"I'm thankful to FSDL (ISL organisers) and AIFF for making it happen. Whoever represents India, together we will be honoured to defend the flag." The AIFF will conduct a medical test of Naorem Mahesh Singh before taking a decision to include him in the squad, the national federation said in a press release.

Speaking on the development, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said, "It is indeed a positive development on the eve of the Asian Games as the reliable pair of Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhingan will be manning two key positions in the Indian attack and defence, respectively, for the continental games.

"We are further happy that some more experienced footballers are there in the squad to strengthen our campaign." Earlier this week, the Indian team's preparations for the upcoming Games were dealt a massive blow, with the ISL clubs refusing to release many key national team players for the continental event.

Thirteen players from the original 22-member squad, which was announced