ISL 2020-21: Sunil Chhetri becomes first Indian to make 50 goal contributions in ISL history

Bengaluru FC forward Sunil Chhetri scripted history yet again when he became the first Indian to register 50 goal contributions (42 goals and 8 assists) in Indian Super League (ISL) history on Thursday. Chhetri scored his team’s opener against Odisha FC to reach the mark in his 80th ISL appearance.

Only former FC Goa star Ferran Corominas is ahead of him in the list with 48 goals and 16 assists. Marcelinho Leite is third on the list with 49 goal contributions (31 goals n 18 assists) in 69 games.

Chhetri, this season, has already managed 2 goals and 1 assists in 5 games and is, unsurprisingly, the highest scoring Indian as of now. Undoubtedly, Bengalyuru FC rely on him heavily as was reflected by head coach Carles Cuadrat before the start of the season.

https://twitter.com/bengalurufc/status/1339581542067101697

“Sunil is an example for everyone. You cannot imagine how it helps new players from day one to acquire good work habits and consistency in their performance,” the Spanish coach had told The Bridge.

“I hope that he continues to be that captain who leads by example. And that he continues to give the team that capacity for defensive work, something in which he has improved a lot these last 2 seasons, and of course that good number of goals that have allowed him to be the Indian top scorer in ISL history.”

In Thursday’s ISL clash between Bengaluru and Odisha, it was Chhetri who broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Dimas Delgado found Harmanjot Khabra who routed the attack from the right and floated a perfect cross into the box. Chhetri leapt higher than Shubham Sarangi and headed home.

Odisha struck back through captain Steven Taylor in the second half, but Cleiton Silva scored minutes later to restore Bengaluru’s lead and give them the win. The Blues are currently third on the league table behind Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan with 12 points from 6 games.