Young striker Ishan Pandita wants to write his own chapter in Indian football. Pandita feels it has been a challenging last few seasons for him as a forward as he has got limited game time. With veteran Sunil Chhetri still going strong, the youngster has spent most of his time on the sidelines for the Blue Tigers.
The 25-year-old from New Delhi didn’t have a great season for Jamshedpur FC in ISL 2022-23 season. He could only score two goals for the club in 17 appearances in what turned out to be a forgettable season for the Red Miners.
“It’s a sticky situation that we are in currently, being an Indian striker. The last three seasons have been very difficult for me to get consistent minutes. And as a footballer, game time is everything. When you get a consistent run of games, you have the opportunity to prove yourself, to show what you are about, and you gain confidence. And when that’s taken away from you, everything becomes a little bit more difficult, stated Pandita in an interaction with AIFF.
“So, it’s a battle that I have to face, and hopefully, soon in the next season or the coming seasons, I can cement the number nine position in the Indian team and in the ISL club as well,” he added.
Pandita, who has shown the skills to be the future of Indian football, had scored his maiden goal for the national team while playing in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
“The first goal for your country is, obviously, a massive moment for you in your career. It was an amazing feeling. And to do that on that stage in Kolkata, with that crowd, was fantastic. It’s always a pleasure to help the team win,” he reminisced.
In fact, Pandita was not part of India’s squad of the Hero Tri-nation due to injury. Pandita wants to prove his mettle and make a comeback into the national squad.
“I think I’ve always said the pitch talks, so you can say whatever you want off the field, but at the end of the day, it’s your performances that do the talking. So, if I get my chance, which I hope I will, and I get enough minutes and I score, then that will obviously help my case,” said the Delhi-born player.
Pandita will look to deliver the goods and earn his place back in the Indian team.
