On a night in which the limelight shone on India’s brightest star, an emotional Sunil Chhetri didn’t make an appearance at thepost-game conference. The Indian commander managed to subscribe off one last time in a way only he could, one which oozes class. “ To my musketeers from the media: Over the last 19 times, I ’ve had the occasion to interact with so many of you, on more than a few occasions. There were times when I had to say a lot less than I would have liked to, and others when I responded to your questions with long harangues.
“ There were the answers laced with frustration, the bones
that were—much to your annoyance—indistinctive, and also the press conferences that ended in a hurry. But through it all, I ’d like to believe that I was always honest with you. And that I always chose to have a discussion with you, indeed, if it risked making captions for reasons beyond those that I would have liked, ” read the letter by Chhetri. Despite the disappointment of the goalless draw between India and Kuwait, the legend of Chhetri got the farewell he merited, and the crowd of Salt Lake rose to hail and bow down to the man who changed Indian football.
He lapped the colosseum saluting suckers and got a guard of honour from his teammates, which also saw the number 11 break down into gashes before exiting the pitch. “ I wanted to—by way of this letter and this occasion—thank you for playing the part you did in telling my story. Thank you for the love and adulation you have shown me through your prose and photos. But most importantly, thank you for the times you ’ve been honest in your assessment of the way I ’ve played or carried myself, ” added India’s all-time top arranger.
The game against Kuwait was the 39-year-old’s 151st and final game of a fabled public career and will always be flashed back with fondness. “ You had, and will always have the most stylish seats in the house. I just hope that over these 19 times, I made that experience just a little more special. perhaps I ’ll join you in your unker for a game or two. ” subscribing off with gratefulness, Sunil Chhetri,” concluded the emotional letter.
