Looking back at "Indian Maradona" Krishanu Dey's career

Krishanu Dey won South Asian Games Gold medal with Team India in 1985, 1987

Kolkata is known as the 'Mecca of Indian Football' and this city has given birth to many Indian football legends and among them one of the most renowned and remembered is Krishanu Dey, who was born in 1962 at the footballing captial of India.

The 80s & 90's Kolkata Maidan and Bengal football fans will never forget the name of legendary Krishanu Dey and the magic of his dribbling, who ruled the Indian football at the Maidan in the 1980s and 1990s with his lethal left foot. Many supporters still refer to him as 'Maradona of India'.

Krishanu Dey became well-known for his exceptional dribbling skills and ability to take free kicks. Dey's prime playing career was mostly spent with the two prestigious clubs of Kolkata, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. He also represented the Indian National Team, notably contributing to its success in overseas competitions. Football fans still remember his effective playing style and technical prowess, which cemented his place among the great names in Indian football history.

In the article we will reminisce and look back the career of the Indian legend and delve into Krishanu Dey's footballing heritage.

Club Career

Krishanu entered the circuit of football after meeting football coach, Achyut Bandopaddhyay during a match at Rabindra Sarovar, and the tale did not stop there. Krishanu began his professional career in 1979 with Police A.C. in the Calcutta Football League, under Achyut Banerjee. Later, in 1980, he transferred to the Calcutta Port Trust. He spent a couple seasons there before joining Mohun Bagan in 1982. In 1982, he scored his first goal in the Strafford Cup against Dempo Sports Club. He played for Mohun Bagan till 1984.

Later, Krishanu Dey joined hands with the Red and Gold Brigade in 1985 where he played his prime career with Bikash Panji, becoming East Bengal legends by winning many major trophies. He became renowned as the 'Indian Maradona' during his stint in East Bengal. Over the course of seven years, he played exclusively with East Bengal, where he won several honors, including the 1990 Durand Cup, Rovers Cup, and IFA Shield under coach, Syed Nayeemuddin.

In 1992, he made his way back to Mohun Bagan, where he shared the field with one of the team's top international striker, Chima Okorie. In 1994, Krishanu spent a season back in East Bengal once more. Later, in 1995, he joined Food Corporation of India FC and played there till 1997. Throughout his club career he scored more than 150 goals in 300+ matches and won major trophies at the clubs he have played for in his extraodinary footballing career.

International career

On June 22, 1984, Krishanu made his debut for the Indian National Team against China in the Great Wall Cup. During his career, he played in ten list "A" matches and scored seven goals, including a spectacular hat-trick against Thailand in the 1986 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia. Notably, he accomplished an international hat-trick for India, making him the sixth Indian and the second Bengali, after Subhas Bhowmik.

In a number of important competitions, including the Asian Games in 1986, the Merdeka Cup, the Pre-Olympics, the SAFF Games, and the Asian Cup, Krishanu vigorously represented India. Krishanu Dey led the Indian team in the Asian Cup qualification round in 1992 after making a splash with his name on the national team jersey.

Managerial career

Following his playing retirement in 1997, Krishanu Dey decided to pursue a career as a manager and became the head coach of Food Corporation of India FC. Later, in the 2000s, he also served as the manager of Kalighat Club in the Calcutta Football League.

Hall of Fame

East Bengal

Federation Cup: 1985IFA Shield: 1984, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1994Durand Cup: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993Calcutta Football League: 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993Rovers Cup: 1990, 1994Coca Cola Cup: 1985Bordoloi Trophy: 1992All Airlines Gold Cup: 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992Darjeeling Gold Cup: 1985SSS Trophy: 1989, 1991Sait Nagjee Trophy: 1986Stafford Cup: 1986

Mohun Bagan

Federation Cup: 1982Durand Cup: 1982, 1984IFA Shield: 1982Calcutta Football League: 1983, 1984

Bengal

Santosh Trophy: 1986

India

South Asian Games Gold medal: 1985, 1987