The landscape of Indian football is constantly evolving, and one of the most talked-about stories lately is that of Vishal Kaith. The 28-year-old goalkeeper for Mohun Bagan Super Giant made headlines with his recent appearance for the Indian national team in a friendly against the Maldives.

This match marked a significant milestone for Kaith, as it was his first outing for the national side in 2,377 days, following a challenging yet transformative journey spanning nearly seven years.

During his previous national team stint at the 2018 SAFF Championship in Bangladesh, Kaith also faced the Maldives. However, it was a bitter experience, as the Blue Tigers suffered a defeat to the Maldives in the final.

Fast forward to the recent friendly, and the narrative took a positive turn, with Kaith not only returning to the lineup but also securing a remarkable clean sheet in a 3-0 victory. With the match requiring him to make just one save, it was a testament to both his skills and the overall strength of the team.

Reflecting on this comeback, Kaith admitted, “I consider this match as my debut. We went to the 2018 SAFF Championship with a U23 team. I had never played with the seniors before, especially (Sunil) Chhetri bhai. So this feels different,” Kaith said to the-aiff.com.

"When you don't play, it is tough to take that. But if you keep working hard and give your hundred per cent in training, you will get your chance someday. And that day arrived for me on Wednesday (against Maldives). The motivation remained that I must keep doing my work and I will get the chance some time or the other," he added.

Kaith’s journey from a promising 22-year-old to one of the ISL’s most reliable goalkeepers has been marked by consistency. His recent club performances played a crucial role in helping his team successfully defend the League Shield.

He acknowledges that the journey hasn’t been easy, especially with limited chances in the national team due to the scarcity of fixtures each year.

“I was much younger back then; I'm more mature now, with much more game experience. With time, you make fewer mistakes, and decision-making improves,” said the 28-year-old.

"I can't win a Golden Glove alone. It's the effort of the entire team. They do well, so it makes the goalkeeper's job easier. Even against Maldives, I barely had anything to do all game because we defended well. I try to give my best at Mohun Bagan, so I can keep improving," said Kaith.

Opportunities have been hard to come by for Kaith, but with his current form, he has proven himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the country. However, he understands that being part of the national setup requires more than just talent—it demands mental fortitude as well.

His determination and commitment stand as a testament to his perseverance, especially as he competes with seasoned goalkeepers Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Amrinder Singh, who have long been mainstays in the squad.

“With goalkeepers like Gurpreet Paaji and Amrinder Paaji regularly in the squad, getting minutes is tough. Mentally, you have got to be strong. There are three of us, but only one is going to play,” he pointed out.

"Our relationship is wonderful. We are all from north India, so we've built a bond. We keep pushing each other. If one makes a mistake, the others support him. When I don't get the chance to play, I try to learn from them by seeing what they're doing right. Even though only one goalkeeper plays, we support each other fully during training," Kaith concluded.

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2024-2025 Vishal Kaith