Sandesh Jhingan: Top three achievements in his career

Sandesh Jhingan has won the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2020.

Sandesh Jhingan is a name that instantly comes into mind when we start listing the top defenders of Indian football team. The Chandigarh born player who turned 30 today, known for his strong defensive abilities, tackling, positioning and aerial prowess, primarily plays at centre-back position. 

With a formidable experience backing his ability, Jhingan is all set to play for FC Goa in the upcoming ISL season. He has also represented Kerala Blasters, ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC in the same league.

Let us look at some of the key achievements of Sandesh Jhingan in his career (we haven't ranked them in any particular order):

Emerging player of the year 

After a stint in United Sikkim and Mumbai FC, Jhingan was signed by Kerala Balsters in the inaugural ISL season. He was benched in the first match before making his debut against Chennaiyin FC. With brilliant performances throughout the season, Kerala Balsters went on to compete in the final where they lost the trophy to Atletico de Kolkata. 

Jhingan’s consistent performance in the season helped him to bag the ‘Emerging Player of the League’. And the list didn’t end there, as he went on the win the ‘AIFF Emerging Player of the Year’ in the same season.

Move to Croatian Top League 

Sandesh Jhingan, embarked on a momentous journey in August 2021 by entering the ranks of Croatia's premier league. He entered into a contractual agreement with HNK Sibenik, a renowned football club in Croatia. This remarkable career move is particularly noteworthy as Jhingan became the first Indian footballer to grace the Croatian top-tier. 

Regrettably, a series of injuries and a change in management at the club resulted in Jhingan's departure after a couple of months without having the opportunity to play a single match.

Captaincy of Indian National Team

Sandesh Jhingan made his first appearance for the Indian national football team on December 19, 2015. During his debut encounter, he effectively demonstrated his defensive prowess and delivered an impressive performance on the field. Notably, his contribution played a crucial role in India's resounding 4-1 victory over Nepal, ultimately culminating in their triumph in the tournament.

This significant debut served as the stepping stone for his illustrious international career, subsequently establishing him as a pivotal figure within the framework of the Indian national team.

Jhingan was appointed captain of the Indian football team on 18th August 2017, for the Hero Tri-Nation series. Under his leadership, the team achieved three victories and two draws. Additionally, he was entrusted with the captaincy role at Kerala Blasters for the 2017 season.

In addition to the aforementioned accomplishments, it is noteworthy to mention that in the year 2020, Sandesh Jhingan was bestowed with the prestigious Arjuna Award. This esteemed recognition, presented by the Government of India, stands as the second highest sporting honor in the country.