Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the Indian football team, opened up about his friendship with Indian cricketing star Virat Kohli on the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) exclusive show In The Stands.The two sporting icons – one of cricket and the other of football – both grew up in New Delhi and have maintained a friendship over the years. Other than their mutual focus on fitness and discipline as well as their trailblazing success in their respective fields, the duo have a common professional connection in the ISL too – Kohli co-owns FC Goa, while Chhetri captains Bengaluru FC.Now, in an interview for In The Stands, Chhetri opened up about his bond with Kohli, saying, “We talk about a lot of normal things. We share a lot of laughter. We share a lot of jokes and a lot of funny stuff. I have had a lot of deep and meaningful chats.“Its not like we talk 24×7 every day. There are phases when we do not talk for months but the best part is that he understands and so do I. But, we catch up exactly from where we left it.”Chhetri also explained that he has often turned to Kohli for discussions on how to overcome and deal with pressures and expectations that often plague a sportspersons life.“The few times when I have felt the heat of who I am and the need to perform and the few times that he has felt the heat of who he is and the need to perform, is exactly when we have chatted. He understands that not everyone can understand what we are going through and it just hits the right note,” Chhetri said.Champ, I appreciate the kind words. The feeling about our friendship is mutual, and I too, am very grateful that our paths crossed the way they did. 🙏— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) August 3, 2022I am Sunil Chhetri. There is only one.Chhetri, arguably the greatest footballer to wear the Blue Tigers jersey, talked about the immense success he has enjoyed in his career. The striker has played in multiple major clubs around the country, enjoying complete success in all of them.“If anyone would have given me a book and asked me to write my dream life down back then, maybe, I would not have written it the way it has turned out to be. I say this with extreme humility. It is an absolute privilege and honour to be who I am. I am profoundly blessed. The number of years I have played, the number of things I have achieved, the people I have shared the dressing room with, its an unbelievable feat. I am very thankful to a lot of people for that,” the Indian football skipper said.“I am Sunil Chhetri. Theres only one and I am living an absolute dream.”
