'Blessing to be Sunil Chhetri' — From backbencher and prankster to leading India for over a decade

Sunil Chettri recently revealed that he was a 'backbencher and prankster' but changed himself after he was made the Indian football team skipper in 2011.

SportsTak

• Tue • 16 May 2023

Indian football team skipper Sunil Chettri recently revealed in an interview that he was a 'backbencher and prankster' who used to make fun of the senior players during the early days of his international career but changed himself after he was made the skipper in 2011.

Chhetri was given the armband in 2011 after the legendary Bhaichung Bhutia's retirement and for a young side in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers in Malaysia two months later. He said that the pressure on him was enormous and he changed himself almost immediately.

“The day I was given the armband, it was in Malaysia by Bob Houghton, there was an instant pressure because of what I was -- a backbencher,” Chhetri said on an episode of 'Let There Be Sports' streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar.

"Myself, Steven (Dias) and (NP) Pradeep made fun of the senior players, that was me. Everything was a prank and I was mischievous. But when I wore the armband, for the initial three-four games I started sitting ahead," added the 38-year-old, whose last major tournament for India could be the Asian Cup 2024 in Doha.

"That was me taking the pressure that I have become captain now. It’s not these things but doing the right stuff that you were doing before and being a little more thoughtful. It’s not only you, it’s the team now,” he added.

Chhetri added that he changed his approach to the game after he was made the captain because he needed to lead his team by example. “Before there was this mindset that I am Sunil Chhetri -- my dribble, my pass, my crossing, my goal. I would raise my hands and go home. Even if I received abuse, I would take them and go home.

"But now you are thinking about yourself as well, but also about the team on and off the pitch. And when I forced myself to think this way earlier, I was scared. I told myself to relax, the job is still the same. Be a good example on the pitch and off the pitch,” he explained.

And now, the veteran striker, who currently plays for Bengaluru FC in the top-tier Indian Super League(ISL), has won several titles and accolades during his professional career. However, he revealed that defeats taught him to stay grounded.

“It’s a blessing to be Sunil Chhetri, very honestly. But to take losses in life is something that sports teaches you and that’s what I take from football. Every now and then, even now, when I am who I am, a phase or a loss will come which will tell you that you are nothing,” he said.