India has always produced quality centre-backs at the Asian level, be it the likes of Gostha Pal in the pre-independence era in the two-back system, or Jarnail Singh in the golden years, followed by the likes of Syed Nayeemuddin. Carrying on the tradition is current India defender Sandesh Jhingan, who debuted for India in 2015 and has since gone on to represent India in 60 international matches, donning the captain\u2019s armband on seven occasions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While his partners at the heart of the Indian defence have changed over the years \u2013 starting with Arnab Mondal, Anas Edathodika, Adil Khan, and then on to the modern era with Anwar Ali and Rahul Bheke \u2013 Jhingan has remained the one constant.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I really enjoy playing the centre-back position. It is a crucial position where you need to find the proper chemistry with your partner,\u201d Jhingan said to the-aiff.com. \"I\u2019ve been blessed to have played alongside some top defenders of our time, really.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"When I was first called up back in 2013, I was the fourth-choice centre-back. The legendary Mangi bhai (Gouramangi Singh) was there, along with Arnab Mondal, Raju Gaikwad. Mangi bhai is also a coach at my club (FC Goa) today,\u201d said he. \u201cI\u2019m just so lucky to have played with these guys. And from there on, I\u2019ve played with others like Anas, Adil, Anwar, and Rahul too. We\u2019ve all fought so many battles together on the pitch, I feel lucky to have played alongside them all.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Indian defenders have won much praise in 2023, winning nine clean sheets in the year. However, the man quietly working behind the scenes was former India centre-back and current assistant coach Mahesh Gawali. The respect that Gawali commands within the dressing room as one of the best defenders of his time and as an assistant coach is massive.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Mahesh bhai needs no introduction. He\u2019s been one of the stalwarts of the game during his days as a player, and now we learn so much from his experience,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat he\u2019s done for the country is immense, it\u2019s just great to have him around. People should give him a lot of credit when they praise us for keeping clean sheets.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I still remember the first time I met him, it was quite unique. It was 2013 or 2014, and I was yet to make my debut for India at that stage,\" recalled Sandesh. \"Subrata bhai (Paul) first introduced me to him and said, this is Jhingan, he will be the next big defender and all that, and then he asked Mahesh bhai to give me his blessings. I bent down and took blessings from him. That\u2019s the kind of respect he commands from everyone around him.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India are set to play in the AFC Asian Cup for the fifth time in the history of the tournament and have been drawn alongside Australia (January 13), Uzbekistan (January 18), and Syria (January 23). For Jhingan and the Blue Tigers, it\u2019s all about remaining focussed on the job ahead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The tournament atmosphere is different, but it\u2019s great. You want to be a part of such an atmosphere, and I enjoy it quite a bit,\" he said. \"But when you\u2019re in that moment, you don\u2019t get to feel much of it, because you\u2019re in the zone or the mind space.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"In 2019, we didn\u2019t feel it as much, but once you come out of it, you realise that this was there, and then you tend to reflect on it,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we\u2019re all grateful to be here at such a prestigious tournament, and there\u2019s positive energy all around. To be a part of the whole journey, and to finally arrive at the main stage is a moment of pride.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/01\/blessed-to-have-played-alongside-some-of-the-best-defenders-sandesh-jhingan.jpg", "alt_img": "Blessed to have played alongside some of the best defenders: Sandesh Jhingan", "alt_title": "Blessed to have played alongside some of the best defenders: Sandesh Jhingan", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Blessed To Have Played Alongside Some Of The Best Defenders: Sandesh Jhingan On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Blessed To Have Played Alongside Some Of The Best Defenders: Sandesh Jhingan, AFC Asian Cup: Big, burly, and snarling. That is how most people expect centre-backs to be. However, the position itself.", "seo_keywords": "Sandesh Jhingan, Gostha Pal, Jarnail Singh, Syed Nayeemuddin, Arnab Mondal, Anas Edathodika, Adil Khan, Anwar Ali, Rahul Bheke, Gouramangi Singh, Raju Gaikwad, FC Goa, The Indian, Mahesh Gawali, AFC Asian Cup, For Jhingan, Blue Tigers", "tag": "", "tagging": "Sandesh Jhingan, Gostha Pal, Jarnail Singh, Syed Nayeemuddin, Arnab Mondal, Anas Edathodika, Adil Khan, Anwar Ali, Rahul Bheke, Gouramangi Singh, Raju Gaikwad, FC Goa, The Indian, Mahesh Gawali, AFC Asian Cup, For Jhingan, Blue Tigers", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "blessed-to-have-played-alongside-some-of-the-best-defenders-sandesh-jhingan", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "522", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-01-10 16:24:03", "updated": "2024-01-10 16:24:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Sandesh Jhingan, Gostha Pal, Jarnail Singh, Syed Nayeemuddin, Arnab Mondal, Anas Edathodika, Adil Khan, Anwar Ali, Rahul Bheke, Gouramangi Singh, Raju Gaikwad, FC Goa, The Indian, Mahesh Gawali, AFC Asian Cup, For Jhingan, Blue Tigers", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-01-10 16:24:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "football", "cnmid": "849760", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/blessed-to-have-played-alongside-some-of-the-best-defenders-sandesh-jhingan-12008" }