Who has the potential to replace Sunil Chhetri in the Indian football team?

Since Sunil Chhetri joined the Indian football team in 2005 as a 20-year-old, the striker position has been largely his domain. This raises a crucial question: who will step up once Chhetri plays his final game? The Indian football scene has heavily relied on Chhetri as the top scorer, and with few domestic strikers emerging, many ISL teams have turned to foreign forwards to fill the gap in goal scoring.

“It’s time for our country to welcome a new number 9 and build on that. We’re currently at a disadvantage because many players, including some of my national teammates, don’t play as strikers for their clubs, which is another issue entirely. However, when I’m no longer part of the team, I’m confident many will step up, although they will need time,” stated Sunil Chhetri in his announcement.