The Indian national team lock horns with continental rivals, the People’s Republic of China in a momentous clash that could decide the country’s preparedness ahead of the AFC Asian Cup in 2019. Alongside the usual suspects like Pronay Halder and Rowlin Borges, Indian head coach Stephen Constantine has also included the 21-year-old Delhi Dynamos FC midfielder Vinit Rai into the senior squad.

A Tata Football Academy graduate, Rai was also part of the Indian side that reached the finals of the SAFF Suzuki Cup 2018 in Bangladesh earlier this year. Described as a cultured midfielder with an eye for a pass, Rai will be hoping to make good use of this opportunity to stake his claim in the side for the Asian Cup. Ahead of the historic clash, indiansuperleague.com caught up with the youngster to discuss his aspirations going forward. Here are the excerpts:

Talk us through your journey of playing through the various age groups for the national team.

I represented my country for the Under-23’s in Bangladesh and played Under-19 in Palestine. Then my first Under-23’s for our head coach was in Qatar. I just want to thank our head coach because he has shown so much of trust in me since the last SAFF Cup and now he has given me a very good opportunity to play a very vital friendly match against the People’s Republic of China.

How are you planning to replicate your style for the senior national team?

When someone praises me, it always gives me an extra bit of confidence. But at the end of the day, I have to give my best whenever I step on the pitch. Whichever team I have played for, I have always tried to give my best and I will continue to do so.

How important is this game in terms of Asian Cup preparation?

We’ll be playing our first game of the Asian Cup in January. This match is going to be very important for us for the preparation for our upcoming vital tournament in January. Playing the People’s Republic of China in front of their home crowd is going to be very tough, but we’re ready for it.