10 best Indian football players of all time

#7 Jarnail Singh Dhillon

The indomitable Jarnail Singh Dhillon is certainly one of the stalwarts of Indian football, having been a part of the country’s finest ever victory in the 1962 Asian games at Jakarta where he made telling contributions. He was one of the best defenders ever to play for India but also occasionally played as a striker.

Hailing from Punjab in 1936, Jarnail came to Kolkata to pursue his footballing dreams. He played for Rajasthan Club and then switched over to Mohun Bagan where he would leave an imprint on the unstoppable Green and Maroon brigade of the 1960s.

He was a no-nonsense defender and was a fearsome character on the field. His performance in the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games will be remembered with pride and honour by Indian fans. Before the semifinal, Jarnail suffered a head injury which required 6 stitches.

Also, the coach Syed Abdul Rahim asked him to play as a centre-forward. The unfazed Jarnail Singh would go on to score a goal with his head. He showed his power and skill in defence in the 1964 Asia Cup at Tel Aviv where India became the runner-up.

He was an absolute superstar in India at that time and was the only Indian chosen to lead the Asian All-Star Football team. He was given the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1964. He breathed his last in 2000.