The All India Football Federation named eight members of the Under-20 squad, which did well at the AFC Youth Championship, in the senior team for the World Cup qualifier against Singapore on Monday.
Midfielder S Venkatesh will lead the team.
India, who beat Singapore in the home match in Goa in February, thanks to by a Rennedy Singh goal, play the inconsequential match at the Stadium of Singapore.
The eight youngsters who found a place in the 20-member squad are forwards Vimal Pariyar (TFA), Rahim Nabi (East Bengal) and Marlangki Suiting (Fransa); midfielders Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar), Jerry Zirsanga, Gouramangi M Singh (both Mohun Bagan); Gurjinder Singh (TFA) and Habibur Rahman Mondal (IFA).
For India, already out of the race for a place in the 2006 World Cup, the victory against Singapore in the first match still remains the best show in the qualifiers. They will be playing for pride in the last two matches against Singapore and Oman.
After beating Singapore in Goa, India crashed 1-5 to Oman on March 31 and were humiliated by Japan 0-7 in Saitama on June 6 and 0-4 in Kolkata on September 8.
India will round off their campaign in Asian Zone Group III with a game against Oman on October 22.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Sangram Mukherjee (East Bengal) and Sandeep Nandi (Mahindra United).
Defenders: Deepak Kumar Mondal (East Bengal), Mahesh Gawli (Mahindra United), Gurjinder Singh (TFA), Debabrata Roy (Mahindra United), Habibur Rahman Mondal (IFA), Vinu Jose (Vasco).
Midfielders: Alvito D'cunha (East Bengal), Jerry Zirsanga Malswama, Gouramangi M Singh (all Mohun Bagan), S Venkatesh (Mahindra United), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar), Rennedy Singh (Ever Ready).
Forwards: Vimal Pariyar (TFA), Rahim Nabi (East Bengal), Abhishek Yadav (Mahindra United), R C Prakash (Dempo), Marlangki Suiting (Fransa).
More from rediff