EXCLUSIVE: Lalrinliana Hnamte discusses Chennaiyin FC, Clifford Miranda, leadership role, India U23, & more

Lalrinliana Hnamte is the captain of the Indian U-23 side

Hnamte, a young midfielder from Mizoram, spent his early years coming through the academy of FC Pune City and then Hyderabad FC. He made his Indian Super League (ISL) debut in the 2021-22 season, starting in the midfield for East Bengal FC against Jamshedpur FC.

After a year with East Bengal, Hnamte moved to Mohun Bagan SG, where he appeared in few games as a substitute in the last quarter or so. He later moved to Chennaiyin FC prior to the 2024–2025 season with the hopes of gaining greater playing time and developing his career.

And that is precisely what had happened with the youngster, who has established himself as one of the top young midfielders in the country. Hnamte, 22, has already made over 70 ISL appearances and led the national team at the U-23 level.

The Chennaiyin FC midfielder sat down with Khel Now for an exclusive interview in which he speaks about his stint with Chennaiyin FC, his leadership qualities, the season so far, and the experience of watching a match from the bench, among other issues.

Let us dive deep and cover the whole interaction with Hnamte.

Hnamte on his time at Chennaiyin so far

Hnamte, who was looking for game time in the ISL, made a big move, moving from Kolkata to Chennai on a free transfer as a young 20-year-old player. From his debut game for the club to his most recent one, the player has grown significantly as a player both on and off the pitch.

Hnamte spoke about his tenure at the club and his experiences in the city.

“As a player, it’s really good experience because you play most of the game, it’s like very good experience and like the city is really nice. I did not go out often, but I really like the city and had a good experience. Two years I learned a lot and it’s helped me a lot like as a person, as a footballer, it’s really good experience for me. (And did you get a chance to explore the South Indian food? Oh, I don’t eat outside food a lot, but I like dosa.)”, added Hnamte

Hnamte on how Chennaiyin FC has helped in his career progression

While Hnamte spent two years at Mohun Bagan SG and made 36 appearances for the club, the majority of them were last-minute cameos off the bench.

However, with Chennaiyin FC, Hnamte has routinely been in the starting lineup, establishing himself as one of the first names on the team sheet. The 22-year-old midfielder spoke about how the club has helped him advance in his career.

“It’s a big step for me to leave Mohun Bagan and to join Chennai. Of course, at Mohun Bagan, with great players, I learned a lot of things, in the game situation and all. I didn’t play much, but with great players, like most of them are national players and from foreigners, they are really good players. So, from them, you learn everything the best, from them.”

“And when I came here, it’s easier for me to adapt because, they helped me a lot to show my talent because they give me a platform to play. In Mohun Bagan, I really didn’t get a chance, like only last 10-15 minutes. And here they give, they help me a lot, everything. I play most of the game, so they helped me a lot to step forward and to show, how I can play, they helped me a lot.”, acknowledged Hnamte.

Hnamte on difference between Owen Coyle and Clifford Miranda

While Owen Coyle brought Hnamte to Chennaiyin FC, the Scottish has left the club, and Clifford Miranda now leads the team. Hnamte previously worked with Clifford while he was the assistant coach of Mohun Bagan SG.

The young midfielder commented about the differences in the way both coaches work and how important it is to adapt.

“Both are really good coaches. They are really great, but the big difference is the technique. You can see how we play this year, compared to last year. So, they are a bit different. Every coach has a different style. They are both great and they love me, they play me every time, so I cannot complain. For me, as a player, I try to adapt, which coach, what he wants, what Owen wants. So, I have to adapt as a player. The quickest I develop, I play.”, insisted Hnamte.

Hnamte on the feeling on sitting on the bench

While Hnamte started the first two games of the 2025-26 ISL season, there was a stretch in the middle of the season where he did not start and had to come off the bench to help his side.

Although he has recovered to his best form, starting the previous four games, Hnamte spoke about how he was coping mentally while not starting games.

“Every player hates to sit on the bench. Yeah, I also hate a lot to sit on the bench to watch the team. But, sometimes it’s a part of the journey as a player. Sometimes we have to sit, watch the game and that’s the coach decision I cannot change. That’s the thing I cannot control, to play or not being part of the XI or sitting on the bench, to come off, it’s a coach decision, I respect that.”

“But the thing I have to focus is to do well in training whenever I get the chance to prove myself. I was a little bit disappointed that I was not in the XI. So, I have to work more harder. So, I always say myself, whenever I get chance, I have to prove again. So, I think I started doing it again. Hopefully, I keep starting.”, stated Hnamte.

Hnamte on Chennaiyin FC’s season so far

It’s fair to say that Chennaiyin FC’s season hasn’t gone as planned. The team has played 10 games in the ISL this season, winning two and losing five.

When questioned about the squad’s performance so far this season, Hnamte claimed that the team is on the rise with each game and would finish higher than they are right now.

“We didn’t start the pre-season earlier, we should have done, the team has to take time. You can see all the game, I think, except Mohun Bagan, I think most of the game we dominate the possession. But always, the last minute, we lack confidence, focus, and we concede late goal.”

“It’s taking a process with the new coach coming different gameplay. But we are keep going, we are growing, we are learning, we are doing well. Compared to the first game, we are much, much better now. I think we’ll finish higher than we should, now we are, I think eight or nine, but I think we will be higher at the end of the season.”, commented Hnamte.

It’s not done yet, there were further questions regarding his leadership, national team ambitions, Chennaiyin FC fans and other questions that Hnamte answered in his exclusive chat with Khelnow.

Please stay tuned for the second part of the interview.

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