Premier goalscorer for the Indian Football team, Sunil Chhetri, has started his preparations as he looks forward to his first season in the Indian Super League, which kicks off on 3 October, 2015.
Chhetri, who recently notched up his 50th international goal in 86 games for the country, underwent routine medical tests at the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai. He was accompanied by Bengaluru FC teammate Robin Singh, and fast-paced Manipuri winger Jackichand Singh, who was awarded the best player in the recently-concluded I-League.
All the three players featured in the World Cup 2018 Qualifiers for India in the games against Oman and Guam respectively. While India lost to Oman 2-1 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru in the first game on 11 June, the Stephen Constantine-coached side also lost to tiny Guam at their home ground five days later, another 2-1 defeat.
Chhetri, 30, remained the sole goalscorer for the Blues in both games.
The Bengaluru FC skipper will join a band of ten other players, that includes the likes of Robin, Jackichand, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Karanjit Singh, Rino Anto, among others, for the ISL auction that will be held on 10 July. These players had missed on the inaugural season of the ISL last year owing to their individual contracts with their respective I-League clubs.
Chhetri, awarded the AIFF Player of the Year, for as many as four times, commands the highest base price in the Player Auction this year at Rs. 80 Lakh. He is followed by goalkeeper Karanjit Singh at Rs 60 Lakh. Robin, Arata Izumi and Anas Edathodika have been set at a base price of Rs 40 Lakh, while Thoi Singh is just a notch below at Rs 39 Lakh.
Eugeneson, who was a revelation with Bengaluru FC last season, and very well deserving of the Best Midfielder of the Season award, will have a base price of Rs 27.50 Lakh, while Royal Wahingdoh duo Jackichand and Seityasen Singh will be priced at Rs 20 Lakh each. Rino Anto commands the lowest base price in the Auction list at Rs 17.50 Lakh.
These players will be up for grabs for the eight franchises, on the auction day, and all eyes will be on "Captain Marvel" Chhetri on the D-Day.
