Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera and the players have expressed their excitement rather than scare at the news of the retirement U-turn of Indian legend Sunil Chhetri for the March FIFA window.

The All India Football Federation on Thursday night announced that Chhetri had decided to return for national duty and then announced him as part its 26-member squad for the FIFA window, which will feature a friendly against Maldives on March 19 before the Asian Cup Qualifiers fixture against Bangladesh on March 25.

"The qualification for the Asian Cup is very crucial for us. Given the importance of the tournament and the matches ahead, I discussed with Sunil Chhetri about making a comeback to strengthen the national team," India coach Manolo Marquez said in a statement from the AIFF.

"He agreed, and so we have included him in the squad."

The 40-year-old forward, who had announced his retirement from international football in June last year, has scored six goals in six matches against Bangladesh.

However, Cabrera feels that the presence of Chhetri will instead motivate the Bangladesh players to give their best.

Bangladesh players in a gym session in Saudi Arabia on Friday. Photo: BFF

"Obviously all of us know Sunil (Chhetri). He's having a very good season with Bengaluru FC. So I think it's very normal that they have decided to call him back, but I think it's going to make the team more excited and excited and motivated for the match," the Spaniard said in a video message from Tayef, Saudi Arabia where the Bangladesh team spent their second day of 11-day training camp on Friday.

Defender Saad Uddin, who had scored a famous goal in a 1-1 draw against India during a World Cup Qualifier in Kolkata in 2019, said it would be a good experience facing the Indian talisman again.

"We have played against Chhetri many times in the past. But he's a great player and it will be good for us facing him," said Saad, adding that he would look to pounce on the opportunity if he gets one against the Blue Tigers in Shillong on March 25.

Young forward Sheikh Morsalin, meanwhile, was looking forward to playing against India and the legendary forward for the first time in his career.

"This will probably be my first match against India. We will have to win it anyhow. I personally feel it's (Chettri's return) good for us because there would have been something missing without him."