Asian Cup 2019: India vs Bahrain - 5 Hits and Flops as Blue Tigers crash out

#3 Hit - Sandesh Jhingan

Sandesh Jhingan tries to win the ball from Mohammed Al-Romaihi

If there was one player who didn't want to see India lose at any cost in the pitch, that guy was Sandesh Jhingan. The Kerala Blasters defender revealed earlier that he cried when India lost to Bahrain in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and got knocked out of the tournament.

This time he vowed to turn those tears into that of happiness. However, it remained that of sorrow as history repeated itself.

It was up to him when his comrade Anas Edathodika had to be substituted in the fourth minute owing to a knee injury. He took the challenge with full hands as he denied Bahrain any clear-cut goalscoring opportunity in the first half.

The 25-year-old put out his legs, heart, body, and soul to make vital interceptions, blocks, clearances, and sliding tackles both inside and outside the box.

In the end, India made a total of 15 tackles, 38 clearances, 5 blocks, and 14 interceptions. It wouldn't sound far-fetched if we tell that more than 50% of that involved India's warrior for the day Sandesh Jhingan.