Ranit Sarkar’s journey in Indian football is one of quiet determination, shaped by early struggles, a surprise positional switch, and a comeback that has reignited hopes of playing at the highest level. Now the first-choice goalkeeper at Shillong Lajong in the I-League, Ranit’s path has been anything but straightforward.
Speaking to RevSportz, Ranit looked back on how it all started—not with his own dream, but his father’s. “Actually, football wasn’t my dream. It was my dad’s,” he shared. “He used to take me to a ground in our locality every day when I was around five or six. That’s where I started loving the game.”
From there, Ranit’s journey moved to Kolkata, where he trained at Khardah Football Academy under coach Rana. A strong performance in a Nursery League match at age ten caught the eye of scouts and opened the door to trials with the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC), where he would go on to spend eight crucial years.
But his role on the field wasn’t always between the posts. “When I joined, I played as a right midfielder because my dad wanted me to play outfield. But I wasn’t good at it,” he admitted. What his father didn’t know was that Ranit often played as a goalkeeper with friends. One rainy day while playing with his father, a spontaneous dive led to a turning point. “I caught the ball, and my dad said, ‘You’re going to be a goalkeeper.’ That same day, he took me to buy gloves and boots.”
Ranit’s admiration for German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer shaped his playing style. “I loved how he played as a sweeper-keeper, especially during the 2014 World Cup. I started watching his videos and tried to apply those things in training.”
At RFYC, he credits the structured environment and personal development programs for helping him improve, especially with his footwork. “They believed in me from day one,” he said. “Our goalkeeper coach Gumpe Rime always told us to be the first to arrive and the last to leave the pitch.”
After graduating from RFYC, Ranit signed with Kolkata Giant East Bengal’s reserve team. His dedication finally paid off when he got a chance to train with the senior team and was eventually registered for the Indian Super League (ISL) squad.
However, a painful moment came during RFDL Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan. “We lost 5-1, and I think I could’ve done better. After the final whistle, I was in tears. The fans were booing. That was the biggest heartbreak I’ve had in football.” While it was a tough experience, Ranit now sees it as a turning point. “It made me stronger. If that hadn’t happened, maybe I wouldn’t be doing as well today.”
Following a brief high in an RFDL semi-final penalty shootout, Ranit made a difficult decision. “I told my dad I needed more game time. So I left East Bengal.” With help from his agent, he joined Shillong Lajong in the I-League.
At first, he was the third-choice keeper. But when the opportunity came, he grabbed it. “In my first match against Inter Kashi, I kept a clean sheet. Since then, I’ve been the first-choice goalkeeper.” He has now played over 1300 minutes in his debut I-League season where he has kept 4 clean sheets in 15 outings.
Looking ahead, Ranit is clear about his goals. “I want to play in the ISL and for the national team,” he said. And perhaps, return to the Kolkata Derby with more experience under his belt. “It’s been a while since East Bengal or Mohun Bagan had a Bengali goalkeeper. Hopefully, I can be that one someday.” Concluded Ranit.
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