India, June 17 -- In 2019, after India lost 1-2 to Oman having led till the 82nd minute, head coach Igor Stimac said the team could not keep looking only to Sunil Chhetri for goals. Chhetri had put India ahead from a Brandon Fernandes free kick, a training ground drill executed to perfection, but India missed opportunities to kill the contest leading to Stimac speaking about the need for goals from other players.

Following the high of a 0-0 draw away to Qatar, India's goals that year came from central defender Adil Khan and wide forward Seiminlen Doungel, both off Fernandes's set-pieces, but it was only in 2023 that Stimac got what he wanted.

Of the 21 goals India scored that year, seven came from players not designated as forwards. Ani...