As the Indian women's national football team continues its preparations for the 2026 SAFF Women's Championship in Goa, they find themselves at an important crossroads in their development. After a tough year thus far, including an unsuccessful qualifying tournament for the AFC Women's Asian Cup (from which they were eliminated), they recently underwent a coaching change from Amelia Valverde to Crispin Chettri.
Having shown signs of recovery by competing valiantly against Kenya in the FIFA Series (in which they defeated Malawi 3-2), the players have concluded their domestic responsibilities after the end of the Indian Women's League, with the East Bengal team winning yet again. Their effort will now shift completely toward international competition.
In order to advance beyond the quarterfinals for the first time since former coach Santosh Kashyap's era, Chettri will need to rely on three key players to return India to its position of authority in the region while competing for the championship on its home soil.
Aveka Singh
Midfielder Aveka Singh also goes into this tournament on the back of a solid season with Danish club Naestved HG. Having become an established member of the senior national side since her induction during the Asian Cup, Aveka has been the perfect injection of energy and balance to the Indian midfield.
Her moment of 2026 came during the FIFA Series, where she was in sublime form against Malawi, culminating in a well-timed goal with a darting run into the penalty area to finish off a cross from the left flank. Her tactical understanding of when to close down an opposition player, retrieve possession, or lend support to attack would be key for Chettri's midfield.
Pyari Xaxa
For pure attacking threat in front of the goal, striker Pyari Xaxa is the standout player at present. With Nita FA in the IWL season, Xaxa enjoyed an excellent season, netting 13 times to end as the highest-scoring Indian in the league.
No doubt Pyari's form at the club is eye-catching, but she will have to transfer that form onto the international stage far more regularly before she is confirmed as India's main goalscorer. Her last prolific run came in the Asian Cup qualifiers against Mongolia, and, on the back of a red-hot season at the club level, she's likely to lead the hosts with Monika Devi playing a supporting role.
Manisha Kalyan
In South Asia, winger Manisha Kalyan is among the top names within the game. Currently at Alianza Lima in Peru, Manisha possesses exceptional pace, dribbling and accurate set-piece skills, all of which make her a great asset to any team.
Kalyan demonstrated her talent at this year's Asian Cup through an outstanding free-kick goal against Chinese Taipei. Prior participation in the tournament gave Kalyan her first senior international goal when she scored in the 2019 SAFF Championship semi-final versus Bangladesh.
Her commitment to her club team in Peru will therefore mean that Kalyan won't join the national team until after the official FIFA international window opens June 1st. Her creativity on the left side will be essential to helping India achieve their goal of taking home championship trophies.
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