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Amidst all the changes, drama, and countless ups and downs in Indian football over the last two decades, one man has remained a constant. When Sunil Chhetri donned the iconic blue jersey, you knew he would give his all, regardless of the situation. But after 19 years of serving the nation, the long-time skipper has decided to hang up his boots.
Chhetri announced his retirement on social media on Thursday, May 16, and although it seemed inevitable, the news had a significant emotional impact on the supporters. Just one final opportunity remains to see him in the Indian colors, set for June 6 against Kuwait.
Fittingly, he will play his 151st and final game in Kolkata, the city where his footballing journey began. A massive crowd is expected to back the Blues, as it is not only Chhetri’s farewell but also a chance to witness India make history, with hopes of qualifying for the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers within touching distance.
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There is certainly no better time to reflect on his remarkable career, and therefore, after 94 goals and countless memories, here are our three best moments of Sunil Chhetri in an Indian shirt over the years.
#3 An astonishing free-kick against Afghanistan (2022)
The path to India’s 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers certainly had its roadblocks, but the team had a chance to make it to back-to-back Asian Cups for the first time. Afghanistan stood in their way, and the nerves in Kolkata were palpable given the high stakes.
The tension was evident among the players as well, as Afghanistan managed to keep their opponents at bay for the first 85 minutes. Just as the game seemed destined for a draw, which would have been a massive frustration for Igor Stimac and his team, a free-kick at the edge of the box was awarded in India’s favor.
Hope rekindled when Sunil Chhetri stood in front of the ball, laser-focused on the target. As all of Kolkata fell silent in anticipation, the skipper did what he does best. With his trademark two-step run-up, he clipped the ball over the wall with perfect power, finding the corner of the net. The Afghan keeper, despite getting a fingertip to it, couldn’t keep it out.
All of Kolkata certainly roared along with the players, but Chhetri, as if it was just another day at the office, calmly walked back to the center circle, almost appearing disappointed.
India eventually won the game 2-1, with Sahal Abdul Samad scoring in stoppage time after Afghanistan had leveled the proceedings.
However, it was Chhetri’s goal that broke the nerves and the deadlock to secure India’s place in the Asian Cup.
#2 A Sunil Chhetri solo show against Kyrgyz Republic (2017)
In another high-stakes game with tension filling the stands, Chhetri stepped up once again. India faced the Kyrgyz Republic in the second match-week of the Asian Cup 2019 third round qualifiers, where three points would put them one step closer to qualification after missing the 2015 edition.
The Blue Tigers had their fair share of chances, as did their opponents, but the game was begging for a moment of magic. And when India needed that, they always turned to Chhetri, who delivered in front of a packed Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
As the clock ticked to the 70th minute, India, who were defending deeper and countering Kyrgyz Republic’s momentum, saw a loose ball around the edge of their box fall to Chhetri’s feet. With only Jeje Lalpekhlua upfront, the skipper decided to embark on a solo run from the opposition box.
In that breathtaking run, Chhetri beat three defenders, leaving them in his wake, and suddenly India had a two-versus-two situation. He passed it out wide to Jeje, who then found his strike partner’s run in behind with a delicate chip.
But instead of taking the ball in his stride, Chhetri relied on instinct and powerfully struck a volley, finding the bottom corner of the net. India eventually went on to win that game 1-0 and topped the group, but this game provided them the confidence boost to achieve the results.
#1 Maiden hat-trick on the grandest stage against Tajikistan (2008)
Chhetri has scored several hat-tricks for India, but this one certainly stands out from the rest. The final of the AFC Challenge Cup was highly anticipated, given that the tournament winners would qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. India had everything to play for, as they had not participated in Asia’s elite competition since 1984.
After breezing through the group stages, with Bhaichung Bhutia standing out, it was a young 23-year-old Sunil Chhetri who showed the first glimpses of taking over the torch from Bhutia. He scored a crucial goal in the semi-finals against Myanmar, with India securing 1-0 victory.
In the finals, Chhetri one step further, this time scoring a stunning hat-trick as India went on to win 4-1. The first of these was a simple tap-in, as he was in the right place at the right time to capitalize on the goalkeeper’s save.
The second goal, however, was undoubtedly one of his best. With a defender behind him, he took the ball off his chest from a goal-kick with ease, turned to his weaker foot, and smashed it into the net from 30 yards out. This goal effectively sealed India’s victory.
He then added a third by drifting into the left flank before wriggling past the full-back and attempting to set up his strike partner. Although the pass was cleared by a defender, it fell kindly to Chhetri’s feet, and he shimmied past the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick. In terms of the game’s sheer importance and his impact, this was undeniably his best performance in an Indian shirt.
