Sandesh Jhingan, one of the standout performers of the inaugural Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season, is now preparing for the chance to make his debut for the senior India team. The ISL Emerging Player of the Year has been called up to the India squad ahead of India’s pre-qualifier against Nepal for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. “It’s a big thing for any player, especially for me,” the Kerala Blasters’ star defender enthused when asked about his call-up. “I’m glad but I know I have to stay focused. I need game time and I still haven’t made my debut yet. Hopefully I will get to make my competitive debut.” Jhingan was quizzed about the impact of national team manager Stephen Constantine, recently re-appointed as the man at the helm of the national team. “We have a new coach and a new system, but Coach Constantine is already experienced in training the national team,” explained Jhingan. “We have to wait and see what happens.” The Punjab-born defender said that the India team was in a confident mood ahead of their matches against Nepal. “The squad is a young one. The spirits are high,” affirmed Jhingan. “It’s a big positive for us and, God willing, we’ll get a good result and press further on.” The 21-year-old defender also took heart from India’s recent successful record against Nepal. “We defeated them in Siliguri in a friendly, but of course we want to win all the games. It’s a pre-qualifier for the World Cup qualifiers, so the gravity of the match is higher.” Jhingan has come into the India squad on the back of a stellar campaign for Kerala Blasters FC in the ISL, and he was quick to acknowledge the impact of the tournament. “It was a big thing for me, personally. It’s helped me improve as a player a lot, by gaining a consistent level of performance,” the defender elucidated. He also revealed that the tournament had helped him improve his fitness. “Games didn’t really have a lot of time between them, so the ISL taught me to stay consistently fit as well. It’s a good thing for me. So, it’s been a lot of excitement and, at the same time, it’s taught me responsibility. It was extremely good.” And the ISL experience may get even better for Jhingan if it earns him his maiden India cap.All quotes taken from Sandesh Jhingan's interview with Goal.com.
