And it ends in a draw!

India captain Sunil Chhetri waves to fans at the end of the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata yesterday. PIC/AFP

The talismanic Sunil Chhetri's last international match ended in an anticlimax as a profligate India were held to a goalless draw by visiting Kuwait in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier here on Thursday. In a country deprived of major footballing success, it was not a fitting farewell for a man who had created an alternative universe for the spectators of the beautiful game in this part of the world. The result put India in an extremely difficult position to make it to the third round of the qualifiers.

After the draw, India have collected five points and play Asian champions Qatar in their final match on June 11. Kuwait, who have four points, will face Afghanistan on the same day. Chhetri, 39, ended his glorious 19-year international career as the fourth most prolific scorer in international football with 94 goals, behind Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (128), Iran legend Ali Daei (108) and Argentine wizard Lionel Messi (106).

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Fans with a Sunil Chhetri banner in Kolkata yesterday. PIC/AFP

It's an astounding feat for a player from a country like India and FIFA had acknowledged Chhetri's legendary status when he announced his international retirement on May 16. Chhetri bid an emotional adieu in front of a jam-packed 68,000-capacity Salt Lake Stadium with his parents Kharga and Sushila, wife Sonam Bhattacharya and a host of officials and ex-players in attendance.

Emptiness at packed Salt Lake as Sunil Chhetri leaves the scene

The stands were almost full, but still there was an eerie sense of emptiness because the irrepressible Sunil Chhetri, after being intrinsically tied to Indian football for 19 years, was cutting the umbilical cord with no successor in sight. A sea of blue, with most fans sporting Chhetri's No. 11 jersey, packed the Salt Lake Stadium as the long-serving India captain played one last time in international football.

On the night, India were playing Kuwait in a World Cup Qualifier. Seated in the front seat next to the driver, Chhetri was the first to step out of the team bus. Outside the gates, a wave of Blue Tigers fans, undeterred by a passing thunderstorm, turned up in large numbers, waving the Tricolour and cheering passionately.

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