Sachin Tendulkar Leads Tributes For Centurion Sunil Chhetri

It was a moment to savour for Indian footballing fraternity when Sunil Chhetri came out to lead the country against Kenya in the ongoing Intercontinental Cup on Monday. The game was Chhetri’s hundredth for India and he could not have asked for a better script.

Legendary duo Bhaichung Bhutia and IM Vijayan were there, the fans too were there and it was now up to Chhetri to make the night even more memorable. Well, the Indian talisman did not disappoint, scoring a brace as India routed fancied Kenya 3-0. The win helped India seal their place in the final of the four-nation competition.

Chhetri converted a penalty to put India ahead in the 68th minute before Jeje Lalpekhlua doubled the lead three minutes later. Chhetri then put the icing on the cake by scoring in the injury time.

Master @chetrisunil11 scores in his 100th International match. That's his 60th International goal. #Chhetri100 #INDvKEN #WeAreIndia #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/Vvp8AvbXkc

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 4, 2018

Before the game, Chhetri had made an emotional plea to the fans, asking them to come to stadiums in order to support the players. After scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Chinese Taipei, Chhetri had posted a video on Twitter, urging the fans to support the team. Later, the likes of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar had backed him too.

This is nothing but a small plea from me to you. Take out a little time and give me a listen. pic.twitter.com/fcOA3qPH8i

— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) June 2, 2018

Well, Chhetri could not have asked for a better reaction as fans came in large numbers to support the team.

That was prior to the warm-up when the entire team gave a Guard of Honour to the special man @chetrisunil11 #Chhetri100 #INDvKEN #WeAreIndia #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/uBszP2hofc

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 4, 2018

And Chhetri also made sure that he lives up to fans’ expectations with yet another scintillating performance. The India skipper has been garnering widespread praise for his performance and the cricketing fraternity also did its bit by lauding the inspirational footballer.

Here are some of the messages for Chhetri from the cricketing world:

A special victory indeed. Well done, #TeamIndia! Super achievement @chetrisunil11 on your 100th appearance and the 2 goals 🙂 #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/bGn1mUPPdr

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 4, 2018

Great show, #TeamIndia! Congratulations, @chetrisunil11… you made it even more special by scoring 2 goals. #INDvKEN @indianfootball

— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) June 4, 2018

Congratulations India on beating Kenya 3-0 in #IntercontinentalCup2018; Skipper @chetrisunil11 was brilliant leading from the front, scoring twice in his 100th match. Fantastic performance #INDvsKEN pic.twitter.com/T4IEosHDcH

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 4, 2018

What a fantastic victory. Congratulations @chetrisunil11 on your 100th international match and for making it extra special with the two goals and a fantastic victory in front of a packed stadium. Great news for @IndianFootball #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/f5isKrYxdi

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 4, 2018

61 goals in 100 games! What a astonishing feat by @chetrisunil11. You have really made the Nation proud. Indian football is in good hands! ?? #INDvKEN #Chhetri100 pic.twitter.com/xZPjxtyvyA

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) June 4, 2018

What a fabulous victory for @IndianFootball . 3-0 , brilliant from @chetrisunil11 in his 100th international match. Great atmosphere in the ground as well. #INDvKEN

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 4, 2018