The Indian captain Sunil Chhetri addressed his last press conference as an active national player along with head coach Igor Stimac on Wednesday. The questions in the presser were obvious but Chhetri wanted to talk about the crucial game against Kuwait and not so much about his swansong in the Indian colors.
The veteran also confirmed that he won’t be reconsidering his retirement decision even if India goes on to win against Kuwait and strengthen their chances of qualifying for the third round of the World Cup qualifiers, which they haven’t done so far.
Asked if India win, would he reconsider? “No, sir,” he said with a semi-exasperated, semi-patient laugh. “I’m not somebody who says something that comes in my mind. I might look like that, but I think a lot. I’ve given [the decision to stop] a lot of thought. For 19 years it’s been a great ride, this is it.” But the fighter within couldn’t resist an additional jab. “I just don’t like the ‘if’ in your question,” he said. “So when we win tomorrow, no I will not [reconsider].”
Chhetri revealed that there is not much talk about his final game in the dressing room and all the players are focused on the crucial game.
“We don’t talk about all this in the dressing room. We’re still the same, we’re having fun, everything is good. It’s just when you guys come in and ask ‘what do you think’ [repeats it 4 times] that they have to answer with something. Otherwise there’s no talk about the ‘last game’. We are done with it, when I joined the camp first day, I told the boys… and it’s done. So I think it’s just you [worrying], so you should probably blame yourselves.”
Chhetri added that it is going to be the most important match of his career and he is going to give his best for the Blue Tigers.
“I’ve been here [for an India PC] many times, in front of you guys many a time… and I’m highly grateful. But it’s time, it’s the right time. This is one of the biggest games that I am going to play in. There couldn’t be a better game for me to call it my last. I am in peace from inside, I’ve given it whatever I’ve had.”
