Captain Fantastic, Sunil Chhetri took his retirement back and returned back to Men in Blue squad after a brief period.
Chhetri took retirement few months back after serving Indian Football for a brief period of 19 years, where he wrote “I used to take picnic when I was an active player, now I will take Picnic for longer duration, where I will enjoy time with my friend and family”.
It seems now, those picnics need to wait as he made comeback in Indian Squad now, based on request from current Indian Football Coach Manolo Marquez as the ace striker have done wonders in ISL for now where he had already clinched 12 goals.
Considering his terrific form, Chhetri is making comeback now, he will expected to do wonders in AFC Asian Cup Qualifier to be played against Bangladesh on March 25th 2025.
India have been placed along with Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangladesh and only top team will advance from that group.
Former Indian Star, Bhaichung Bhutia, have expressed his disappointment he stated “Its an unfortunate and sad state of affair in Indian Football, that you need to bring back your star player back that speak sad reality of Indian Football and you need to rely on 40 year old to bail you out in crisis situation”,
In absence of Chhetri, India have played 4 matches where they have lost all 4 games against distinct opposition.
In 151 games, Chhetri has scored 94 goals so far in International Football, and country haven’t been able to find his replacement.
The biggest reason why Chhetri have received call back in Indian Squad, as Men in Blue have failed to find his replacement in Centre Forward.
In his absence, India have stumbled to maintain draw against teams like- Mauritius, Vietnam and Malaysia while falling short in Intercontental Cup final against Syria and Suffering worst defeat against Qatar in AFC World Cup Qualifier.
Bhutia added “We panic a lot, India in AFC Asian Qualifier, have lesser impactful teams in spite of bringing Chhetri back they must have added Youngster in the squad and give them more opportunities.
India have tried 8 strikers in his absence- Manvir Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahim Ali, Farukh Chaudhary, Liston Colaco, Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad and Sahal Abdul Samad out of which only Farukh has been able to score goal for India as centre forward that speaks volume about depth in Indian Football Squad.
The decision for Taking Chhetri simply in the squad is based on his past performance where he went on to score 12 goals which is seriously one of his best performance in ISL till date.
Various Stakeholders have already expressed their wish “If the Top brass doesn’t work on improving the domestic structure of Football along with imposing restrictions when it comes to allowing lesser number of Foreign Players in ISL as Indian players are getting lesser opportunities to play”
He added that “Indian players are getting good some of money in ISL, but they hardly go to play for foreign countries, which restrict their exposure vividly”.
Chhetri return in Indian Squad is not a permanent solution, its temporary for sure and there will be time when he will retire in future and back then he would never come back.
