Following the retirement of Sunil Chhetri, the Indian football team has announced Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as their captain for the crucial World Cup Qualifier clash against Qatar on Tuesday, June 11.

The veteran keeper is currently the most experienced and longest-serving player in the national team with 72 appearances after Chhetri retired from the sport recently.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has been India’s first-choice keeper for over a decade now. Besides this, he has also captained the Blue Tigers on 10 occasions previously. In the game against Kuwait in their previous outing, the Indian team’s backline would’ve found themselves in trouble had it not been for Gurpreet Singh’s heroics that saved the game for them.

In his career of 13 years in the national team, Gurpreet has accumulated 28 clean sheets. While the list of his match-saving performances is endless, his heroics in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers against Qatar stand out.

Here, in this article, we will share a few lesser-known facts about Gurpreet Singh Sandhu:

Cricket To Football:

From a very young age, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was inclined towards playing cricket, however, his interest switched to football at the age of eight.

Academy Days In Chandigarh:

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu honed his skills at the St. Stephen’s Academy in Chandigarh. He joined the academy in 2000 and stayed there until 2009.

State Debut:

Gurpreet’s talent was recognized early on as he was selected for his state youth team, the Punjab U16s. He made his debut in 2006.

Golden Glove Winner:

Before he achieved success in the national team, Gurpreet won everyone’s hearts with his performances at the club level. He also won the Golden Glove award in the Indian league for keeping the most clean sheets in a season.

First Indian in UEFA Europa League:

Gurpreet scripted history as he became the first Indian player to feature in the UEFA Europa League while playing for Norwegian club Stabæk in 2016. However, his time at Stabæk was limited because of the playing time, which led him to return to India.

Rise In National Team:

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made his debut for the Indian national team in 2011, however, his early years saw him play a backup role. It took him 4 years to establish himself as the main goalkeeper for the Blue Tigers during the World Cup 2015 Qualifiers.

Awards Recognition:

Gurpreet has received several prestigious awards for his outstanding contribution to Indian football. He received the Arjuna Award in 2019 and AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year 2019-2020. He has also won the Indian Super League Golden Glove Award on multiple occasions.

Captaincy:

Besides his amazing goalkeeping prowess, Gurpreet has also impressed one and all with his leadership qualities. He has served as the vice-captain for Bengaluru FC during the 2021-22 season. He has also captained the Blue Tigers on 10 occasions previously.

Family Man:

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is a perfect family man. Gurpreet often credits his wife and parents for their unwavering support.

Musical Inspiration:

Gurpreet is a big music fan. Before every big and important game, he draws inspiration from listening to Punjabi music.

Philanthropic Work:

Gurpreet is known for his charitable work. He has participated in initiatives to promote football among underprivileged children in India.

Fitness Freak:

Gurpreet is known for his dedication to fitness. He follows a rigorous training regime.

A legend, an inspiration, and a true leader – Sunil Chhetri is a national hero. Chhetri’s journey from a young boy with a passion for the sport to the most decorated player in Indian football history is inspirational. Sunil Chettri will play his last game for the FIFA World Cup’s qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6. 

7 Unknown Facts About Sunil Chhetri You Didn’t Know

• Love Marriage

Sunil Chhetri has Married his childhood love, Sonam Bhattacharya, who is the daughter of his coach Subrata Bhattacharya. Both got married in 2017 and last year they welcomed a son – Dhruv.

• Third-Highest Goal Scorer

After Cristiano Ronaldo (128) and Lionel Messi (108), Sunil Chhetri (93) is the most active international goalscorer in the world. Chhetri sits proudly as the third-highest active international goalscorer in the world.

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• Almost a Premier League Player

Destiny had other plans, but Chhetri did have a shot at playing in the prestigious English Premier League. He had trials with Coventry Rangers and Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in the late 2000s. Unfortunately, work permit restrictions due to India’s FIFA ranking at that time prevented him from securing a permanent position.

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• The Khel Ratna Award

In 2021, Sunil Chhetri became the only footballer to be conferred the prestigious Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor. This recognition stands as a testament to his exceptional contribution to Indian football.

• Musical Influence

Many might not know that Chhetri is a big fan of music. He is particularly fond of Nepali folk music and often finds inspiration in its melodies.

• Charity Work

Beyond the field, Chhetri is actively involved in social work. He established the “Sunil Chhetri Foundation,” which works towards promoting and developing football amongst underprivileged children in India.

• Diet Dedication

He wasn’t always health-conscious, but playing for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal turned him into a near-vegan who avoids sweets.

Indian football superstar Sunil Chhetri will captain the Indian team for the last time on Thursday during a match against Kuwait. The Indian football team will be looking forward to giving a memorable farewell to their captain with a glorious a win. If the Indian team wins this match, then they will become a strong contender to qualify for the last round of the FIFA World Cup for the first time.

The legacy of Chhetri goes beyond numbers. He is been an inspiration to generations and the hero of Indian football. As the player with the most goals (89) and appearances (131) for his country, he has been a major contributor to India’s rise in the FIFA rankings. His on-field skill and leadership have inspired hope among a population that dreams of winning the World Cup.

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India has a fantastic opportunity to give Chhetri a victorious farewell in Thursday’s encounter. They would be able to make history by qualifying for the World Cup final round if they beat Kuwait. In their last games, the Blue Tigers led by Chhetri, have displayed moments of brilliance. A follow-up show and an addition of magic from their inspired captain might make the dream come true.

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Kuwait, however, is a really difficult task. The visiting team has a focused group of players who are hungry to qualify for the World Cup. There will be a severe rivalry for the match, so India will need to perform at their highest level. In order against a strong Kuwaiti attack the Indian defence, commanded by the seasoned Sandesh Jhingan will need to remain unshakeable.

The stadium will be filled with massive cheers from the Indian supporters, whose chants honour Chhetri’s unwavering commitment. The whole country will be glued to their TVs, hoping for a fantastic adventure that ends like a legend.

This is a celebration of an era, not simply a football game. This is an opportunity to see a legend strengthen his place in Indian sports history. There will be a lot of emotion when the last whistle sounds. But one thing is for sure: the Indian football scene will always love Sunil Chhetri’s legacy.