Sandesh Jhingan: Training with Bhaichung, Renedy was a dream
![Post Featured Image](https://assets.khelnow.com/news/uploads/2020/04/DMISL2432.jpg)
(Courtesy : ISL Media)
The Kerala Blasters defender spoke about his time at United Sikkim at the beginning of his career.
Meeting your heroes is a memory to cherish for a lifetime and Sandesh Jhingan had his biggest fan boy moment as a 15-year old when he got to shake hands with former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia.
“When I was 15 we played a tournament in Goa. That’s where I got to shake hands with Bhaichung bhai. I was like, 'I am never going to wash my hand'," a smiling Jhingan recalled in an episode of Let's Football Live.
In fact, it was with Bhutia's United Sikkim Football Club that Jhingan first made his debut for the I-League in 2012, and he just can’t forget training and playing alongside Bhutia and Renedy Singh -- another former Blue Tigers skipper.
“It was like a dream. These guys were my phone's wallpapers! Till the other day, I was idolising them, watching them play. And then at USFC, I got to play with them,” he smiled.
"I was thrilled when I succeeded in the trials with United Sikkim FC. When I finally signed the contract papers it was just an amazing feeling,” the bearded defender smiled.
“I am grateful to Bhaichung bhai for giving me the opportunity. Training every day with the likes of Bhaichung bhai and Renedy bhai, and just being around them was something out of a dream," Jhingan exclaimed.
Jhingan also paid rich tribute to Renedy highlighting the latter’s impact on his career and how the former midfielder helped Jhingan get a “great start.”
"Seeing Renedy bhai score those trademark free-kicks for fun in training was just incredible. He helped me a lot at the time and that added to my confidence. He would come to me often after training and motivate me,” Jhingan quipped.
“Today if God asks me whether I want to change anything about the start of my career, I would not change a single thing."
Currently, the defender is recovering from an injury and is at his home in Chandigarh, due to the nation-wide lockdown imposed because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"My rehabilitation period is on and I was originally supposed to join the team in March. I have a program in place -- I do leg strengthening and balancing exercises, along with cardio to keep my endurance up and stay fit," Sandesh Jhingan mentioned.
He added, "Rest of the day, I do household things such as washing utensils, reading books, writing and social media. It's great to spend time with my family, speaking to my parents and reminiscing about childhood days with my brothers.”
- Top five youngest debutants for France
- Odisha FC's predicted lineup for ISL 2024-25
- Top 13 youngest players to reach 20 Premier League goal involvements in a season
- Super League Kerala 2024: Full fixtures, schedule, timing, telecast & live streaming details
- Top four defensive midfielders Barcelona should sign in January
- Cy Goddard becomes the first foreigner to sign for Hyderabad FC for ISL 2024-25
- Mohammed Yasir ruled out ahead of India's clash against Mauritius in Intercontinental Cup 2024
- Top 10 most expensive Indian footballers in ISL history
- Diamond League, World C'ships and other major events to follow post Paris Olympics 2024
- Mohun Bagan's predicted lineup for ISL 2024-25
- Indian Sports Calendar September 2024: Major events to look forward to this month
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers: Bahrain shock Australia; United Arab Emirates defeat Qatar
- Top 10 highest goalscorers in the history of football
- People come and go and we try work in the same direction, says Mumbai City coach Petr Kratky on ISL 2024-25 Media Day