Rahul Giri in Shillong
Shillong’s picturesque hills were draped in clouds on Sunday, as the sun and drizzle played a constant game of hide-and-seek. The chill in the air was unmistakable, but the city’s residents are well accustomed to its mystical weather. Amidst this, the Indian Football Team seemed to be playing its own game of hide-and-seek, this time with the media.
With Team Bangladesh’s arrival on 20th March and over 30 media personnel from the neighboring country in town, India has taken a strict approach, shutting its training sessions off entirely from the press. In contrast, Bangladesh has allowed the first 15 minutes of their every training session to be open to the media, including Indian reporters. However, the Blue Tigers have maintained a completely closed-door policy.
Sunday’s events, however, unfolded dramatically. Initially, it was announced that India would be skipping their scheduled training session, opting for a rest day just two days ahead of their much-anticipated clash against Bangladesh. By Saturday night, whispers of a possible cancellation had already begun circulating. By Sunday morning, the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) media team officially confirmed that Sunil Chhetri and his squad would not be training that day.
But something didn’t quite add up. Typically, two days before a crucial fixture, teams engage in one of their most significant training sessions, fine-tuning tactics and finalising strategies. The abrupt cancellation left many questioning whether something was amiss.
For the Latest Sports News: Click Here
Determined to uncover the truth, a few curious reporters made their way to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. What they discovered just confirmed their suspicion; Indian head coach Manolo Márquez had indeed brought his entire squad for a secret, closed-door training session, away from the prying eyes of the media.
A source close to the local organising committee revealed that while India was training at the stadium’s main pitch, Bangladeshi and Indian journalists were left completely in the dark. The decision to conduct a private session adds an intriguing layer of mind games ahead of the showdown.
Whether this tactical manoeuvre will pay off on the pitch remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain, it has already reignited frustration among the Bangladeshi media, who are publishing a flurry of critical reports and may push further allegations against the local organising committee.
The battle has already begun, even before a ball has been kicked.
Also Read: India vs Bangladesh rivalry heats up as ground controversy overshadows AFC qualifiers build-up