Sunil Chhetri's return from international retirement at 40 highlights the lack of quality strikers in Indian football.
NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC finished fourth and fifth in the league stage and they face against each other on Sunday in Shillong to seal the last remaining semi-final spot.
Sunil Chhetri and Virat Kohli, two of India's most iconic athletes, have found a common bond in fatherhood.
Chhetri expressed his desire to play the Asian Cup on home soil
Sunil Chhetri became the joint second highest international goal scorer among active players along with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi
Indian striker Sunil Chhetri's Major League Soccer debut may not be too far away. His club Kansas City Wizards said on Thursday he will be soon included in the 18-man match-day squad. Chhetri signed for KC Wizards in late March and made his debut for the Kansas-based side in the Lamar Hunt US Open match against Colorado Rapids in April. However, he is yet to debut in MLS, which is halfway through this season.
Chhetri, who has scored 94 goals from 150 international appearances and the other 26 around him will now continue their training camp in Kolkata, where they will have their first on-field training session on Thursday, May 30.
All eyes on Chhetri as India face Maldives in friendly ahead of Asian Cup qualifier.
The Islanders thus finish the league season at the sixth spot with 36 points, whereas the Gerard Zaragoza-coached side end their league campaign with 38 points.
Bengaluru FC pulled off the biggest win in ISL play-offs history, thrashing Mumbai City FC 5-0 to progress to the semi-finals.
On Thursday, Neeraj hurled the javelin in his season's best effort of 89.45m to secure a silver medal, making him the first track-and-field athlete from India to have two Olympic medals, the first being an unprecedented gold in Tokyo.
Inter Kashi knock Bengaluru FC out of Kalinga Super Cup with penalty shoot-out win
Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu have joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to combat obesity, emphasizing the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.
Sunil Chhetri came up with two late goals as Bengaluru FC edged past Mohammedan SC 2-1 in the Indian Super League in Kolkata on Wednesday.
MBSG have added the ISL trophy to their League Winners' Shield they had won earlier in the season for a ISL double.
The Mission Olympic Cell is also considering higher incentives for retired Olympians and world-class players who want to take up coaching, in an effort to retain top talent within India.
Bengaluru FC defeated Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday, with Spaniard Alberto Noguera scoring a brace.
Sunil Chhetri said he would like to be remembered as 'the luckiest and most hardworking national team player'.
I-League 2 team Sudeva FC launches collaboration with VfB Stuttgart for grassroots development
In the 74th minute, the home team eventually broke the deadlock courtesy of a goal from Colaco from outside the box.
'At the same time, this may encourage some youngsters in some parts of the country to pursue football.'
'Whatever goals I have scored are because of the team I have played with'
The Blues will look to bounce back and stay in the hunt for the first spot, though they now trail the top-placed Mohun Bagan Super Giant (36) by eight points (28), slightly undoing their impressive run in the earlier parts of the season.
Former Manchester United and Mumbai City forward, Uruguay's Diego Forlan and La Liga's managing director for India, Jose Antonio Cachaza discussed ways for India to become a footballing powerhouse. Norma Godinho/Rediff.com sat in as the duo discussed Indian football and the Spanish League's new India tie-up.
Punjab FC ended their seven-game winless streak in the Indian Super League (ISL) with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bengaluru FC.
At 40 years and 126 days, Sunil Chhetri became the oldest hat-trick scorer in the ISL history
Sunil Chhetri was named India's Player of the Year by AIFF president Praful Patel at the Annual General Meeting in Delhi on Friday. India's captain, who won the award in 2007 and 2011, emerged winner after voting by I-League coaches at AIFF's headquarters in Delhi.
Tuesday's match holds importance for India as any slip-up could be disastrous in their bid to make it to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
India is scheduled to play two qualifiers, one match each against Afghanistan and Oman on November 14 and 19 respectively.
Head coach Igor Stimac believes it could be a game-changer for Indian football as India take on Kuwait in a crucial World Cup qualifier.
Chhetri has been the face of Indian soccer for nearly a decade-and-half and his 94 international goals make him the third-highest active international scorer after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Odisha ended their four-match losing streak.
The evening was graced by the presence of Paralympic athletes Navdeep Singh and Avani Lekhara, whose inspiring achievements have brought immense pride to the nation.
'I'm a different kind of legendary. Me and Dhoni are the same kind of legends. We keep saying no, but end up playing 10 more IPLs.'
'I know it's a pressure on the boys that it has been one year, but soon we will win a game. Don't worry, we are on the right track.'
'...there's a feeling of being indebted to the sport, to my team, that I get to do this.'
From terming him a 'beacon of dedication' an an 'inspiration to millions', Bindra was effusive in his praise for the Indian captain.
'I had a great ride all these 19 years. I will go as a fan and support the team wherever the team goes.'
Former hockey captain P R Sreejesh was chosen for the Padma Bhushan, while Ravichandran Ashwin was among the Padma Shri winners.
Thanking everyone for being part of his glorious 19-year journey in international football, Sunil Chhetri was in tears as his teammates gave the Indian football icon a guard of honour while the packed Salt Lake Stadium rose for a standing ovation.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances