The Indian football team, led by veteran striker Baichung Bhutia, left on Tuesday for the South Asian Football Federation Championship in Karachi.

The 20-member team, coached by Syed Nayeemuddin, was selected after a fortnight-long preparatory camp in Delhi.

India, placed in Group 'B', faces Bhutan in its first league match on Thursday.

Bangladesh and Nepal are also in the same group.

Group 'A' comprises hosts Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

India team:

Goalkeepers: Sandeep Nandi, Kalyan Chaubey, Felix D'Souza

Defenders: Surukumar Singh, Mahesh Gawli, N S Manju, N P Pradeep, Rajeeb Ahmed, M Suresh, Mehrajuddin.

Midfielders: S Venkatesh (vice-capt), Climax Lawrence, Steven Dias, Mehtab Hussain, James Singh, K Ajayan.

Strikers: Bhaichung Bhutia (capt), Syed Rahim Nabi, Abdul Hakim, Alvito D'Cunha.

Coach: Syed Naeemuddin

Asst coach: Gabriel Joseph

Goalkeeper coach: Atanu Bhattacharya

Manager: P K Banerjee.