India named a second-string 28-member squad under U23 head coach Naushad Moosa for the SAFF Championships to be held in Dhaka from November 5 to 17.
The defending champions are sending a secondary team because the opening match against Pakistan on November 5 falls outside the FIFA international match window and ISL clubs were reluctant to release players.
India are placed in Group B alongside Pakistan and Maldives, beginning their campaign on November 5 before facing Maldives on November 11.