Tajikistan 1-2 India Player Ratings: Gurpreet the Guardian, Jhingan the Warrior as Khalid Jamil’s India Scripts Stunning Victory

India emerged victorious 1-2 against Tajikistan in the second match of the CAFA Nations Cup held at the Hisor Central Stadium on the 29th of August 2025. Khalid Jamil's first outing with team India was successful as his men defended against Tajikistan strongly. Both teams entered the pitch with high hopes, with the Indian National Football team, under Khalid Jamil, coming to fade away their metaphorical dismay and disappointment that has haunted them for a while now and Tajikistan with a hope of continuing their momentum, which they relatively missed this year, and after a thrilling encounter, it was the visitors who had the final laugh. Indian football players defended well throughout the game. The Indian National Football team got off to a fiery start with the team scoring two goals within the first 15 minutes with the services of Anwar Ali and Jhingan. Both the centre-backs came off their backline to force errors from the opponents and eventually score. The celebration was short-lived as the hosts found their opener off Shahrom Samiev, who physically beat Jhingan to find his way in the back of the net. Later, though both sides attempted to attack, their attempts were fatal in front of the defence, and at half-time the score was 1-2 in favour of India. In the second half, it was Tajikistan who were dominating with the ball; however, the Indian backline stood strong and kept them away from scoring. Here are the Tajikistan vs India Player Ratings.

Tajikistan Player Ratings

Here are the Tajikistan Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Muhriddin Hasanov - 5/10

The keeper was not having the best of an hour, as two mistakes from the keeper quite early in the game led to the Blue Tigers scoring in quick succession. Later, he made some good saves, but the two goals conceded earlier backfired.

Defenders

Akhtam Nazarov - 5.5/10

The captain took some solid free kicks in the attacking half and challenged the Indian backline throughout. He was unable to prevent the opponents from scoring the opener as he was just a spectator as the ball glided in front of him.

Zoir Dzhuraboev - 4.5/10

The defender kept the possession and started the build-up plays for Tajikistan from the back. Defensively, the player struggled.

Alijon Karomatullozoda- 4.5/10

Did not have proper coordination with the keeper, and some defensive blunders led to his team conceding two early goals.

Manuchehr Safarov - 5.5/10

The full back won some balls in the middle third and provided some beautiful through balls, which put the Indian players to a real test.

Midfielders

Alisher Shukurov - 5/10

Had the pace and won the through balls that came from the midfield, but lacked finishing.

Ehsoni Panshanbe - 5/10

Made some quick runs into the final third and won free kicks at some dangerous positions to challenge the visitors.

Shahrom Samiev - 6/10

Samiev had the better of Jhingan in a physical battle in the final third and scored the opener for the hosts. However, in the second half, he missed the penalty, adding to his team's disappointment.

Forward

Alisher Jalilov - 5/10

Made some initiatives to attack and test his chance at goal, but was unable to find the back of the net.

Sheriddin Boboev - 5.5/10

Came back to defend and protect the second phase of play, along with his attacking initiatives. He was the first player to be subbed off for the hosts.

Shervoni Mabatshoev - 5/10

The player was unable to create even a single real threat to the Indian backline, and for this reason, was one of the worst players of the match.

Substitutes

Rustam Soirov - 6/10

Won a penalty, but it was missed by Samiev.

Manager

Gela Shekiladze - 5/10

The manager would hope to erase this match from his memory as his side displayed a terrible performance in the initial minutes. But as a positive, the team was able to regroup and pounce back with a goal and dominate the second half. However, the penalty miss backfired and became the difference between India and Tajikistan.

India Player Ratings

Here are the India football team Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu - 9/10

Though the keeper tepped up to the situation and made some stunning saves throughout the match. Held his fingertips whenever the opponents took some powerful shots at the goal. Saved the penalty and is arguably the man of the match for India, proving his worth.

Defenders

Rahul Bheke - 7/10

Bheke's header attempt, which deflected the keeper, went straight to Jhingan, who doubled the advantage for India. Defensively, the full back won some duels and made interceptions.

Anwar Ali - 8.5/10

Anwar Ali had the awareness and clinically headed in the opener for the Blue Tigers. Provided a cross in the 13th minute from the right, which paved the way for the second goal. Later, the defender bolstered the attacking initiatives and constantly put pressure on the opponents.

Sandesh Jhingan - 8/10

Jhingan was a nightmare for both the Tajik strikers as he displayed an all-around performance, scoring the second goal for India, along with efficiently defending the goal. Did his best to prevent the opponents from scoring the opener, but was unable to do so.

Muhammed Uvais - 6.5/10

The debutant had a remarkable performance as he was one of the first players to clear away the ball whenever the opponents created trouble with set-pieces.

Midfielders

Lalianzuala Chhangte - 6/10

Chhangte was decent in the game, with some attacking initiatives from the right. Did not pose much threat to the hosts.

Suresh Singh Wangjam - 5.5/10

Suresh did not have a significant contribution in the match as he was seen struggling against the opponents and making his presence felt throughout the minutes played.

Vikram Partap Singh - 6/10

Vikram Partap was having a good pace and made some accelerated runs with the ball. Gave away a penalty, but to his luck, it was saved by Gurpreet.

Jeakson Singh - 5/10

Jeakson Singh was seen losing the ball during multiple instances and creating trouble for India. Was decent in the match and did not take many risks.

Ashique Kuruniyan - 6/10

Ashique delivered some first-time crosses and piled up pressure upon the opponents. However, as the game progressed, his performance faded, and he was subbed off.

Forward

Irfan Yadwad - 5.5/10

Irfan tried his best to attack, but the lack of support in the final third meant that the player was unable to find the back of the net. Took some attempts at the goal, but was either overhit or underhit.

Substitutes

Nikhil Prabhu - 5.5/10

Danish Farooq - 5/10

Mahesh Singh Naorem - 6.5/10

Roshan Singh - NA

Chinglansena - NA

Boris Singh - NA

Manager

Khalid Jamil - 8/10

What a debut Khalid Jamil had. His players did exactly what he could have wished for, and his brilliant tactics helped the Blue Tigers earn a win against a higher-ranked Tajikistan after a long gap of seventeen years.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.