Tears of adieu! Sunil leaves India grieving

‘Sobai bhalo thakben, sobai khusi thakben!' were the last words of India's long-serving captain Sunil Chhetri, his voice quivering with restrained sentimentality, as he wrestled with his emotions while delivering his farewell speech.

Chhetri, revered for his grace, finesse, and impeccable timing on the football pitch, captivated hearts anew on an unforgettable Thursday, this time not with the ball at his feet but with his brief address at the end of a goalless World Cup qualifying match. In a poignant farewell address that moved everyone, both within the stadium and across the country, the esteemed forward peeled back the layers of his legendary cricketing persona to reveal the essence of the man behind the icon.

Before the start of the match, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey and West Bengal sports minister Arup Bhattacharya greeted him.

"Welcome Sunil Chhetri @chetrisunil11 to the beginning of a glorious new journey. You start a new phase of life today," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote in her post on X.

"You have been a golden boy of Bengal, Captain of the Indian football team, a sports icon of Asia, a globally adored scorer, a giant achiever. I am sure that you will continue to play, add to our glory and achieve many more laurels for yourself and us. It is not a day of farewell for you. It is a day to renew your pledge to uphold the glory of your family, Bengal and India further and further. Wish and pray for your future successes," she wrote.

The match, which saw India settle for a goalless draw against Kuwait, was overshadowed by the emotional resonance of Chhetri's departure. Amid a sea of fervent supporters, he began with a choked voice, beseeching the crowd to settle and striving to conceal the wellspring of tears threatening to spill forth.

During the match, the 39-year-old exuded an unmistakable vigour, effortlessly surpassing his younger counterparts on the field, driven by the desire to enhance his already illustrious record of 94 goals in his 151st appearance.

Just last month, Chhetri made the poignant decision to bid adieu to his illustrious career in international football. Amid a plethora of achievements, his indelible mark on Indian football is unmistakable. His instrumental role in India's triumphs at the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009, and 2012 underscores his exceptional talent and invaluable contributions to the team's triumphs.

Furthermore, his prowess on the field played a pivotal role in securing India's victories in the 2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023 SAFF Championships, solidifying his status as a beacon of success for Indian football. Notably, Chhetri's leadership was pivotal in India's conquest of the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, marked by a memorable hat-trick in the final. This historic victory not only secured India's place in the AFC Asian Cup but also marked their return to the prestigious tournament after a 27-year hiatus.

On Thursday, amid the fervent cheers of the crowd chanting ‘Sunil, Sunil' and the resonant refrains of ‘Vande Mataram', a pivotal moment materialised in the first half of the showdown.

It unfolded in the 11th minute, as Liston Colaco showcased his agility down the left wing, delivering a precision low cross into the penalty area. Positioned strategically to seize the opportunity, Chhetri was primed to make his mark, only to be thwarted by Hasan Alanezi's timely intervention with a sliding clearance.

While the absence of his esteemed father-in-law and former mentor, Subrata Bhattacharya, was palpable, Chhetri found solace in the unwavering support of his wife, Sonam, alongside their nine-month-old son, Dhurv, and brother-in-law, Saheb Bhattacharya, who stood as pillars of encouragement from the stands.

"The ones who have watched in videos, the ones who have taken autographs, the ones.. the old-time supporters, thank you, everyone. These 19 years would not have been possible without every one of you and I genuinely mean it. "For everyone who is here, thank you so much. I think I will speak from my heart," Chhetri said, as tears flowed freely and chants of ‘Sunil, Sunil' reverberated.

But even that wasn't the most touching sight of the day. That came right at the end after all the commemorations were over. His fans continued chanting for Chhetri till long after he'd walked back into the dressing room, reluctant to break the magical spell and return to mundane reality. After all, he had just retired! Later, there was a scramble to wave goodbye to the departing team bus.

Throughout the day, messages flashed on our phone screens. "Legends don't retire," said one. Unfortunately, Chhetri had just done so. Quite gracefully!