From FIFA 1998 to FIFA 18: Evolution of Indian national team in the FIFA series

Football is increasingly becoming more and more popular in India in recent years. As a result, a large number of people are getting hooked to the addictive game that is FIFA. Football fans, more often than not, are bound to be FIFA fans as well.

India made its first appearance in FIFA: Road to World Cup 98, which included all the 172 national teams registered by FIFA. The likes of IM Vijayan, Bruno Coutinho and Carlton Chapman were in India’s team back then. After appearing in FIFA Football 2002, there was an 11-year hiatus for the Blue Tigers until they returned to feature regularly from FIFA 13 onwards.

Here we look at the India national football team’s evolution in FIFA over the years:

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#1 FIFA 13

Not surprisingly, India was a one-star team back in FIFA 13. India’s attack was rated 60 while the midfield and defence were rated 56 and 57 respectively. Strangely enough, India’s designated rival in the game was the Korea Republic.

India’s captain was Sunil Chhetri, who was also the joint highest rated player of the team. The striker was rated 65, the same as goalkeeper Subrata Pal.

Along with substitute goalkeeper Karanjit Singh, they were the only three players with real faces in the squad. Subrata, along with striker Robin Singh, had the highest potential rating of 69.

India played with 4-4-2 as their default formation. With Pal as the goalkeeper, the defence comprised of Nirmal Chhetri, Raju Gaikwad, Gouramangi Singh and Syed Rahim Nabi. Anthony Pereira, Mehtab Hussain, Jewel Raja Shaikh and Clifford Miranda made up the midfield. Up front in the attack were Sunil Chhetri and Sushil Kumar Singh.

#2 FIFA 14

India vs Argentina in FIFA 14

Continuing to be a one-star team, India’s overall ratings went down slightly in FIFA 14. The attack was rated 59, midfield was rated 54 and the defence was rated 53.

Captain Sunil Chhetri’s overall rating went up a notch to 66, the highest in the team. He was followed by Subrata Pal who was rated 65, with the highest potential of 69. There were a total of 23 players in the squad, which was a substantial increase from FIFA 13.

Again deploying a 4-4-2 formation, Pal was the obvious choice in goal. The defence was made up of Nirmal Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, Aiborlang Khongjee and Narayan Das. The midfield comprised of Victorino Fernandes, Mehtab Hussain, Francis Fernandes and Clifford Miranda. The strike force was made up of Balwant Singh and Sunil Chhetri.

#3 FIFA 15

A screenshot from an India game in FIFA 15

Once again a one-star team, India’s overall ratings remained the same as in FIFA 14 as far as attack, midfield and defence are concerned. Chhetri was again the highest rated player at 66 followed by Subrata Pal who was rated 64.

With Pal in goal, the defenders were Rino Anto, Dhanachandra Singh, Arnab Mondal and Lalchhuanmawia Fanai. The midfield was made up of Jackichand Singh, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Sehnaj Singh and CK Vineeth for the very first time. Robin Singh and Sunil Chhetri were the forwards up front.

#4 FIFA 16

India winning FIFA World Cup in FIFA 16

India’s rival team in FIFA 16 was changed to Australia. The Blue Tigers’ overall ratings went up a few notches with the attack rated 61, midfield rated 56 and defence rated 57. Jeje Lalpekhlua replaced Sunil Chhetri as the captain of the Indian national team. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu replaced Subrata Pal as the national team goalkeeper.

The defence was made up of Aiborlang Khongjee, Augustin Fernandes, Sandesh Jhingan and Narayan Das. With a slightly defensive lineup with two holding midfielders in the form of Pronay Halder and Rowllin Borges, the wingers on the flanks were Holicharan Narzary and Bikash Jairu.

With Chhetri relegated among the substitutes, the strikers were Jeje Lalpekhlua and the young Udanta Singh. Chhetri was still the highest rated player though at 66 followed closely by fellow benchwarmer Subrata Paul who was rated 65. Promising striker Udanta Singh had the highest potential of an impressive 73.

#5 FIFA 17

India’s starting 11 in FIFA 17

India’s ratings went up again with the attack being rated 63, midfield rated 59 and defence rated 58. Sunil Chhetri was restored in the starting line-up as the captain.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu continued in goal with Pritam Kotal, Anas Edathodika, Sandesh Jhingan and Narayan Das shoring up the defence. The midfield was made up of Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Rowllin Borges, Jackichand Singh and Udanta Singh who played on the left wing.

The strike force comprised of the formidable duo of Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua.

Chhetri was once again the highest rated Indian player as his ratings went up to an all-time high of 67. Striker Udanta Singh again had the highest potential of 74 followed by defender Sandesh Jhingan with a potential of 71 and Lalrindika Ralte with a potential of 70.

The home stadium is O Dromo and the average age of the starting XI is 24.73.