The ability of India’s striker Sunil Chhetri, who is one of the most well-known and successful players in the subcontinent, to score goals at both the international and local levels has garnered a lot of attention in recent years.
Chhetri has been the driving force behind the Indian national team, scoring goal after goal over the last 18 years. Chhetri is currently in first place on the list of players with the most goals scored in the ongoing SAFF Championship. He has scored five goals over his first three matches. The Bangladeshi journalists who were on assignment to cover the regional football extravaganza in Bengaluru were able to get a hold of the 38-year-old forward while he was walking to the team bus in the mixed zone of Sree Kanteerava Stadium after India’s 1-1 draw with Kuwait on Tuesday. The match was part of India’s Group A competition. The following are some extracts from the humorous dialogue that have been shared:
How does it make you feel when supporters refer to you as ‘Immortal 11’ (Chhetri’s jersey number for both club and country)?
I don’t really take it all that seriously, to be honest, Sunil Chhetri (SC). I am grateful for the support I get from people all around the nation, but particularly from those who live here [in Bengaluru, where Chhetri also plays club football for Bengaluru FC]. This is the territory that I call my own. I have a deep appreciation for their support, and I do all in my power to provide the greatest possible effort on the field. However, I do not really place a lot of weight on this issue.
What position do you think Bangladesh will finish in after this tournament?
SC: Yes, some footage of Bangladesh has been shown to us. But since they aren’t in our group, we haven’t seen as much of their competition as we would want to. I believe they played pretty well in the first half against Lebanon, which was Bangladesh’s first game in this edition of the SAFF. Based on what we saw, I have this impression. They gave off the impression of being fairly tough and had made significant progress. However, we do not yet know who we will compete against; so, we are waiting for the outcome of tomorrow’s match [between Bangladesh and Bhutan]. But as soon as we know who our opponent would be, we will proceed to view other movies about them.
Even though you are nearing the end of the third decade of your life, you are acting like a young man of 18 years old. How do you do it?
SC: It’s a lot less difficult. When you’re 38, you already have a good idea of what caused your failures. You are experiencing less anxiety and your mind is in the proper place. So, [playing at] 38 is simple.
You are now tied for the record of being the top scorer in the SAFF Championship with Ali Ashfaq of the Maldives after scoring against Kuwait. How do you feel?
SC: In my opinion, this is not something that should be taken seriously.
You are followed by a large number of football players from Bangladesh. Have you been able to communicate with them at all?
SC: Just focus on becoming better and having fun with the game of football. If you want to play for your country in this area, you have the duty of being a good role model for other people; thus, you should aim to improve yourself and become a better team player, with the exception of when you play against us.
What kind of influence does the Indian Super League have on the rapidly developing Indian national football team?
SC: It is a significant league among those that we have in India. Over the course of the last eight years, it has been very beneficial [to the football in the nation]. It is now in the running for first place in the competition to spread football across the nation. It is not only the name, the money, or the spirit [of the league]; rather, it is the whole excitement that it brings along with it to the sport of football.
How does Sunil manage to keep himself in such good shape?
SC: I make an effort to eat what I need rather than what I want to consume. I have a positive outlook on life and like to hang out with positive individuals. My workouts are really strenuous. Because so many people show their affection to me, I feel obligated to return part of it.
Who do you consider to be the most formidable adversary in the subcontinent?
SC: A few of teams are doing rather well. We had a match against Lebanon, who have a strong team, in the SAFF competition that is now going on. We have faced Bangladesh, and they are always a challenging opponent for us. However, Kuwait was a very challenging adversary.
You have played in 140 matches for India and scored 92 goals for the national team. How quickly would you want to reach the century mark?
SC: I don’t really give it much thought. I don’t want to seem conceited or anything like that, but I don’t put a lot of stock in achieving my objectives. It will be good to chat about it over burgers and drinks after I am finished in four, five, or six years once I have completed it.
It is often believed that if India does not have Sunil Chhetri, they would have difficulty scoring goals in the days ahead. What do you think about it?
SC: I do not believe that to be an accurate statement. They will be successful even without me. They have been successful in the past. This is not about Sunil Chhetri; there are a lot of players who are better than me, and there will be a lot of guys who are better in the future. There are a number of football players that are now enjoying great success. People can’t help but comment on how attractive I am, and as a result, I am often the subject of conversation.Aside from that, the team is superior.