India's legendary footballer and record goalscorer, Sunil Chhetri, has come out of international retirement to play for the country in the upcoming March international window against Maldives and Bangladesh.

Chhetri, 40, had announced his retirement from international football in June last year following a goalless draw with Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. 

However, he has continued his club career with Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), where he has been in stellar form. His return to the national squad is expected to boost India's attacking prowess as they prepare for crucial fixtures.

With 94 international goals to his name, Chhetri is the fourth-highest goalscorer in men's football history, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei. 

Despite stepping away from international duty, his performances in the ISL have been nothing short of remarkable. He has scored 12 goals this season, becoming the highest Indian goalscorer, and has played a crucial role in Bengaluru FC's return to the playoffs after a disappointing previous season.

Chhetri had earlier stated that his retirement decision was not due to physical limitations but rather the mental aspect of the game. "The retirement decision was not because of the physical aspect. I am still fit, running, chasing, defending. The hard work is not difficult; the reason is to do with the mental aspect," he had said.

His experience and leadership will be invaluable as India looks to strengthen its squad in the upcoming matches. Coach Manolo Marquez now faces the decision of whether to deploy him as a traditional No. 9 or utilize him as an impact substitute.

India has been drawn into a qualifying group alongside Bangladesh, Hong Kong (China), and Singapore. The national team will begin its campaign with a friendly against Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on March 19, before taking on Bangladesh in the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on March 25.

India's last Asian Cup campaign ended in disappointment, with the team failing to advance past the group stage after losing all three matches. With Chhetri back in the squad, the hope is that his presence will inspire a stronger performance as India aims for a hat-trick of Asian Cup appearances.