Is Indian football missing the Bhaichung?

It is true that when Bhaichung Bhutia played for the national team, India was still one-hundred-and-something on the world ranking’s list. But that didn’t matter during any of India’s 90 minutes on the pitch in spite of whatever the scoreboard suggested. A jersey bearing the name ‘Bhaichung’ would be fluttering around the pitch, making a run every now and then.

While we have Sunil Chettri now, Bhaichung Bhutia is still missed. He was not the best player in the world, but for Indian football, he was. As long as he was there on the pitch, there would be hope… even if the score was too far to be equalled. Yes, as long as he was there, the grass would look greener.

Memories of him celebrating after scoring and having won the AFC challenge cup final against Tajikistan, in 2008, which earned India a direct spot in the subsequent AFC Asian Cup of 2011, are still mesmerising. It was like getting qualification into the World Cup, for the current state of Indian football. Of course, with renowned Asian teams like Australia and South Korea in the same group, no one was expecting any miracles. Eventually, India went out in the group stage itself; yet the joy of having qualified for that cannot be denied.

It is moments like these, with Bhaichung Bhutia in the picture, which truly paint the sincere spirit of football in India. Such presence is very hard to compensate for by any other player on the field. There is something inimitable about him, and that simply comes out of his immense love and respect for the game. No doubt he deserved the Arjuna award he received in 1999.

Such determination takes a lot of courage – just like it took him to attend the national camp as a 16 year- old kid while he was supposed to be appearing for his exams. And such a price was totally worth it, for he did not let loose grip of what he fancied so much – football.

Today, not very long since his retirement, after having played an exclusive farewell match against Bayern Munich at JLN stadium, New Delhi, it is hard to absorb the game without him being there in the blue jersey. There is no such leader found on the pitch.

Yes, of course, once again, there is Sunil Chettri, but he is not Bhaichung Bhutia. Even he would acknowledge that, having played besides Bhaichung. Yet, it is good to see Bhutia has passed on some of his eloquence, humility and desire onto the current captain while touching shoulders and sharing hugs.

This gives an idea that there cannot be another Bhaichung Bhutia. Yes, there may be a player better than him or a captain better than him, but perhaps there won’t be another Bhaichung Bhutia.

At such a time, it is only possible to lay his figure as a stepping stone and go ahead in creating young stars for Indian football – ones that will help ‘The sleeping giant’ cross the bridge that needs to be conquered in order to reach the other end.

After all, he has managed to be the face of Indian football for so many kids from all over the country, especially the North East. It was true, indeed: ‘The start of a legacy’.