Maharashtra Gears Up for the Santosh Trophy 2024-25: Squad Announced for the Qualifying Round

Mumbai, November 14, 2024 – The Western India Football Association (WIFA) has officially announced the 22-member Maharashtra squad set to compete in the Qualifying Round of the 78th National Football Championship, commonly known as the Santosh Trophy.
The tournament, one of the most prestigious inter-state football competitions in India, holds a special place in the country’s sporting history, and Maharashtra is ready to make a statement as they head into this year’s championship.
The Maharashtra team, led by experienced Head Coach Paresh Shivalkar, is scheduled to kick off their campaign on November 16 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, placed in Group I. Maharashtra is set to clash against hosts Rajasthan, Gujarat, and DNH & DD in a bid to secure their place in the main round. All fixtures in the group stage will take place in Jaipur, adding an exciting layer to Maharashtra’s journey as they look to make an impact in the early rounds.
Fixture Schedule:
- November 16: Maharashtra vs. Rajasthan; Gujarat vs. DNH & DD
- November 18: Rajasthan vs. Gujarat; DNH & DD vs. Maharashtra
- November 20: Maharashtra vs. Gujarat; DNH & DD vs. Rajasthan
The team has a mix of young talent and experienced players, all of whom have gone through weeks of rigorous trials to secure their spot in the squad. The coaching staff, which includes the likes of Assistant Coach Ritesh Inumula and Goalkeeper Coach Mohammed Qadeer Shaikh, has worked hard to assemble a balanced and well-prepared team. With Manager Khaja Raziuddin Ansari overseeing operations and Team Physio Jai Suresh Mange ensuring players’ fitness, the team is primed to take on the challenge with renewed determination.
Squad:
The 22-man squad boasts players from various regions within Maharashtra, bringing together a diverse range of footballing skills.
Squad
- Pruthviraj Abhay Salokhe
- Rohit Raghunath Jadhav
- Yashraj Manohar Kamble
- Adithyan Prithviraj Dharmaj
- Sumeet Bhanudas Kate
- Tyson Jude Patel
- Shanon Errol Pereira
- Zaid Mohammed Naseem Ansari
- Mohammed Arfat Aqeel Ansari
- Kaustubh Ravindra Panchal
- Nishant Sundar Shetty
- Abhijit Tukaram Taware
- Deepesh Purshottam Burrewar
- Fahad Latifurr Junaid Azmi
- Mohd Huzaif Maqsood
- Aryan Ashish Banarjee
- Yash Shankar Shukla
- Owais Rashid Khan
- Sumit Rajendra Singh Bhandari
- Shubham Jagadish Pawar
- Himanshu Sudhir Patil
- Chinmay Mangesh Shirke
Coaching Staff:
- Manager: Khaja Raziuddin Ansari
- Head Coach: Paresh Vijay Shivalkar
- Assistant Coach: Ritesh Inumula
- Goalkeeper Coach: Mohammed Qadeer Shaikh
- Team Physio: Jai Suresh Mange
A Legacy to Revive
Maharashtra has a storied history in the Santosh Trophy, having reached the finals 15 times and won the championship on four occasions. However, their last title win came over two decades ago in the 1999-2000 season. The team came close to adding a fifth title in the 2015-16 season, only to fall just short, finishing as runners-up. Since then, Maharashtra has consistently qualified for the final round but struggled to make it past the group stages and into the semi-finals. This year’s squad is determined to change that narrative and bring the Santosh Trophy back to Maharashtra.
The team’s goal is not only to qualify for the final round but to make a deep run, aiming to overcome recent setbacks and deliver a standout performance. The opportunity to make history and etch their names in Maharashtra football lore is the driving force for this squad.
Stay tuned for updates as Maharashtra embarks on this exhilarating journey in the Santosh Trophy. The first game against hosts Rajasthan on November 16 will set the tone, and all eyes will be on this talented squad as they strive to bring the trophy back to Maharashtra.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.
Football News / Indian Super League
Reebok Returns to Football with John Abraham’s NorthEast United FC
Kicking off a powerful new chapter in Indian football, Reebok, a global leader in athletic footwear and apparel, has announced a strategic partnership with NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC). Owned…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
FIFA Women’s World Cup the next mountain to climb for the Blue Tigresses
It’s been four days since India’s historic qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. But the dust from the celebrations isn’t settling anytime soon, and the women’s football…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
AIFF charts roadmap for Indian women’s national team after historic Asian Cup qualification
The All India Football Federation President Shri Kalyan Chaubey, on Friday, July 11, 2025, convened a meeting with Deputy Secretary General, Mr M. Satyanarayan, Technical Director, Mr. Syed Sabir Pasha,…
Durand Cup returns to Imphal with a grand trophy tour
Imphal welcomed the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup trophies with a grand trophy tour as Asia’s oldest football tournament returned to Manipur’s capital after a two-year hiatus. The three trophies of the…
India U20 / Indian Football Team
Friendly Result: India hold Uzbekistan to a 1-1 draw
The India U20 women’s national team drew 1-1 against Uzbekistan in the first of two friendly matches at the Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent, on Monday, July 14, 2025. Mexribon Egamberdiyeva…
India U20 women’s coach Joakim Alexandersson names 24-member travelling squad for Uzbekistan friendlies
The Indian U20 women’s team will play two friendly matches in Tashkent against Uzbekistan U20 women on July 13 and 16, 2025, as part of their preparations for the AFC…
Hero Futsal Club Championship / National Futsal Championship
AIFF Futsal Club Championship 2024-25 to kick off on August 3 in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand
The AIFF Futsal Club Championship 2024-25 will be held from August 3 to 18, 2025, at the Shri Manoj Sarkar Stadium – Shivalik Hall in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. Seventeen clubs will…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Punjab FC announces the signing of defender Bijoy Varghese
Punjab FC has announced the signing of defender Bijoy Varghese for the upcoming season from I-League side Inter Kashi. The 25-year-old centre back has signed a contract until 2028 with…
India U20 women’s coach Alexandersson eyes victorious ending to Uzbekistan tour
After holding Uzbekistan to a 1-1 draw in the first U20 women’s friendly match on Monday, India are gearing up to face the hosts again in the second and final…
Maharashtra Oranje FC’s Academy Division, SFL Oranje Academy, announces Trials for 2025-26 season across multiple age groups
Mumbai, Maharashtra – Maharashtra Oranje FC, a prominent name in Mumbai’s football circuit, is set to hold extensive trials for the upcoming 2025-26 season through its academy division, SFL Oranje…
SSE BFC offering girls football trials in Mumbai for U14 & U17 Teams
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-serving academies, is a trusted name and has positively contributed to shaping the local football community for thousands of kids since 2010. SSE Soccer…
SSE BFC Soccer Schools Announces Open Trials for 2025-26 Season in Mumbai
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-standing football academies, has announced open trials for its 2025-26 SSE BFC Soccer Schools program in partnership with Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC….
South United FC Announces Trials in Pune for their Residential Academy in Bangalore
South United Football Club has announced its next set of trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held in Pune. The trials will take place at the Club’s…
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign
Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…