The 40-plus debate has been in the news of late. Though he has once again taken over the reins at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MS Dhoni is no longer at his best. That age is catching up with him has been the refrain. That he isn’t the same is indeed true. He is not the same batter as he was, and is the match-winner he was once. Having said that, he is still one of the best, if not the best, wicket-keepers in the IPL. And that’s what brings the age issue into focus. Is it age that is catching up with him, or something else?
That’s where Sunil Chhetri becomes relevant to this debate. Sunil too is past 40. And yet, he is the best Indian striker in the ISL by a country mile. In fact, he is the lone Indian striker in the ISL competing strongly with foreigners of repute. It was Sunil’s header in the semi -final that sealed the deal for Bengaluru FC, and it is Sunil that Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) will be most wary of in the final.
With Sunil, three things stand out. Fitness-wise, he is still up there with the very best. Ask any youngster to sprint with him, and chances are that Sunil would win. He still has the stamina to last 90 minutes, and that’s where he is different. Second, he still has the hunger. The winning goal was evidence. That he decided to make a comeback for India is also proof of this. He really had nothing to gain by playing against Bangladesh. It wasn’t a game that would decide India’s World Cup fate. And yet he agreed to coach Manolo Marquez’s suggestion and returned to the pitch. The only reason behind this was the hunger and the passion. Third, and not least, is his discipline. His famous statement – “I eat what I need, I don’t eat what I like” – is evidence of the self-regulation.
That’s what brings me to ask: do we celebrate Sunil enough? While we have debated MSD till the cows come home, have we spoken about Sunil enough?
For me, personally, Sunil remains a benchmark. It is the effort and the focus on the mundane. Day in and day out. Sunil doesn’t need the money. He has enough. And yet, he is focussed on doing the basics and the mundane every single day. That’s what makes him unique, and a serious role model for anyone wanting to pursue sport.
The truth is that what we see on television is just the final act in the drama. Stars are made in the nets, in practice, in training which no one watches. There is no media glare, no celebration, no spectacle. That’s where you become great. And that’s not easy. To turn up every single day without fail is the hardest act to follow. When you do this for 20-plus years, it becomes almost robotic. Sunil has been able to, and that’s why we should celebrate him more.
None of us knows what will happen in the ISL final. As a Mohun Bagan fan, I want my team to win. But I also want Sunil to do well. The only reason behind this is that he is good for sport. A true symbol of excellence.
Also Read: “The team has a winning mentality: Subhasish Bose, Mohun Bagan skipper, ahead of ISL final