Calcutta/Mumbai: India football captain Sunil Chetri admitted that he never thought his emotional video on social media seeking support for the national team would create so much impact and he also thanked Virat Kohli for his backing.
Chetri, who is set to play his 100th match in national jersey against Kenya in the Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai on Monday, had requested Indian sports fans through a video uploaded on his Twitter handle to come and watch the football team play. His plea got the backing of India's cricket captain Kohli, who said people of the country should "accept and support all sports equally" so that India becomes a sporting nation. "It (the video) wasn't for the special occasion. I never knew it would have such an impact.
"I thank everyone who has joined in. It is a simple message," Chetri said. "We played the game and was great to go and celebrate with the Blue Pilgrims and a few Mumbai fans. But then I was talking to Sandesh (Jhinghan) about how Kerala has done well, Chennai does well, BFC is going well...
"The topmost is Kerala Blasters, where players can't hear each other."
India played their opener of the Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai against Chinese Taipei in a relatively empty stadium and Chetri urged the football fans to throng the ground and support them in their remaining matches of the tournament. "You want to live the 90 minutes, this is what we want to feel."
"That's why I just went on Twitter. I never thought it's going to follow hits. I got some 1,000 messages on Whatsapp. I hope everyone takes it in the right way because it was from my heart, there was no hidden agenda.
"I thank everyone who joined in. It really helps, Virat (Kohli) and all joined it... It was a sweet gesture," Chetri added. Further commenting on the video, Chetri said it was a one-take one and was unplanned. "I didn't think twice (before shooting the video). It wasn't planned.
Chetri, meanwhile, recalled his first international match when excitement got the better of him and he ended up running in the direction of Pakistan fans to celebrate his goal. "We were in Pakistan, and Nabi da (Syed Rahim Nabi) and I were the rookies. We were kind of chilling, knowing that we may not be fielded. But Sukhi-Sir (Sukhwinder Singh) made both of us start the game. "I scored a goal and all in euphoria ran to the Pakistani fans and started to celebrate," he said.
Chetri said he had a dream but "never dreamt" of playing 100 international matches for India, and called it unbelievable. "I had a dream but never dreamt of playing 100 international matches. This is unbelievable," he said prior to a practice session at the Mumbai Football Arena.
"Did I think then that I am going to play 100 games? No. Did I ever think I am going to play for my country? No. Did I dream of it? Yes.
"Did I think I am going to play 100 games? I didn't even dream of it. I never even dreamt that I am going to play 100 games for my country.
"It is something which is beyond my dream and I cannot tell you how happy and honoured I am. Only second player to do so in the history of the country... It's unbelievable," Chetri told reporters.
