Success comes to different people in different forms. For some it comes in the form of bursting onto the scene and announcing oneself from the word go while for some it comes in the way of grinding it out, never giving up and slowly yet steadily rising to the top.

Either way, nothing succeeds like success and Indian football team defender Muhammed Uvais would have known that on Friday evening.

Uvais falls in the second category of people who have had to earn every ounce of the success that has come their way, but his performance in India’s 2-1 win over Tajikistan in the CAFA Nations Cup on Friday was the first crowning moment of a long and hard journey.

Muhammed Uvais, making his debut for the senior Indian men’s national team put in a solid shift protecting India’s left-hand side with great efficiency while also playing a part in both of India’s goals on the night.

His contribution to the occasion – the Blue Tigers’ first win away from home in almost two years – made it a debut to remember for the full-back who started his journey in the Kerala Premier League with FC Kerala in 2017.

Making a mark in the lower divisions

It took him two years to get a chance on the national stage as he was part of the Bengaluru United squad in the I-League 2nd Division in the 2019-20 campaign. Gokulam Kerala came calling for the local boy in 2020 but it wasn’t until the 2021-22 season that Uvais managed to get a foothold in the team.

It was a coming-of-age season for the youngster who impressed for Gokulam Kerala as a left-back while also filling in as centre-back and as a right-back in a few matches. He also added goal contributions to his name making four goal contributions that season.

ISL exposure

His performances caught the eye of Jamshedpur FC who signed him in 2022. After grooming himself for five years in the lower divisions, Uvais prepared for the Indian Super League (ISL), but opportunities were few and far between for the Kerala defender.

But like how he had done at every club he had played for in his career, Uvais kept his head down and kept doing his bit, waiting for his employers to notice his value to the team.

It was during the 2023-24 campaign that Uvais truly broke into the Jamshedpur FC team. Khalid Jamil placed his faith in the defender and Uvais blossomed as a defender under Jamil’s tenure at Jamshedpur FC.

The 2024-25 campaign was a memorable one for Jamshedpur FC as they reached the semi-finals of the ISL and also made it to the final of the Kalinga Super Cup. Uvais played a huge role in their resurgence making 27 ISL appearances for the Men of Steel.

Dream come true

Punjab FC signed Uvais in the summer of 2025 as he continued his streak of solid performances for the Shers in the Durand Cup. While Punjab FC didn’t go far in the Durand Cup, Uvais’ displays didn’t go unnoticed as his former coach Jamil handed him his first-ever international call-up.

“I think my performances with Punjab FC played a big role (in the maiden national call-up). I gave my best there, and I’m glad it helped me earn this opportunity,” said Uvais.

“It’s surreal to be called up to the national camp. Back home, everyone is proud.”

This time Uvais who had been showing immense consistency in the league hit the ground running, making a memorable debut for India. At 27, the Kerala defender has a long future ahead of him and with Jamil’s hand around his shoulders, Uvais, who has slowly and steadily gone about his business without making much of a splash, might be ready to hog the limelight as the first-choice left-back of the Indian national team.

Keeping his position in the team would be a huge task given the competition he faces for that place in the team, but Uvais as always would be ready for the grind. Being slow and steady has always won the race for him.