Dharmaraj Ravanan speaks to SportsLumo on joining FC Bengaluru United, his long career, the rise of clubs in south India and more.
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Dharmaraj Ravanan is a player who’s been around the block in the Indian domestic football scene. However, the defender from Tamil Nadu has also tasted plenty of success during his career.
And now the 34-year-old is gearing up for what is a new challenge with FC Bengaluru United. The I-League second division side, founded only in 2018, are among the favourites to be promoted into the I-League. And Ravanan is keen to play a part in this success.
“As a player, I’ve won pretty much everything in domestic football. But this league (I-League second division) is new to me and I am keen to win this too,” he tells SportsLumo in an exclusive chat.
However, personal glory isn’t the main aim behind Ravanan’s burning desire to do well at Bengaluru United. The defender is also keen to get another side from the south of India into the top flight.
Recent years have seen southern sides emerge as a force to be reckoned with in Indian football. The likes of Chennaiyin FC, Chennai City FC, Gokulam Kerala, Kerala Blasters and FC Bengaluru are well established as decent sides in India’s top-flights.
Ravanan is keen to see FC Bengaluru United mentioned in the same breath.
“I want to see another side from the south to the top flight. You have Chennai City FC, Gokulam Kerala and Sreenidhi Deccan FC representing the south. Now only a side from Karnataka is remaining!
“I would love to be playing in more southern derbies in the I-League. Ever since Bengaluru FC joined the Indian Super League, there hasn’t been a side from the city in the I-League.
“Making it to the I-League will see local players get more of a chance to play at the highest level and that would be wonderful for the region.”
The conversation then shifts to how the south has seen a resurgence in the Indian football domestic scene in recent years. Traditionally, Indian football’s strongholds have been elsewhere.
The Kolkata sides have tasted plenty of success, while Goa has also seen sides dominate in the top flight. The north-eastern states of the country have always had the talent, and a number of players have emerged from there over the years.
Now though, there is a noticeable trend of youngsters emerging from southern clubs too. According to Dharmaraj Ravanan, this is down not only to clubs from the south coming up, but them being keen to give local talent a chance to shine.
“The south of India has seen a number of players represent India over the years. However, the local football scene in that part of the country wasn’t always strong.
“There was no direct connection between local football and the Indian football team as a whole. But things have changed now.
“The likes of Gokulam Kerala, Kerala Blasters, Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin and even Chennai City give chances to local players to ply their trade in the top flight.
“And playing against top teams is important for young players to show their talent. When you play against top teams, you are likelier to get noticed.
“As such, we at Bengaluru United also want our youngsters to get that experience. That is why we are keen to get into the I-League. We have plenty of talent, but we need to give them that the platform too.”
Even so, it wouldn’t have been an easy decision for a player with so much top-flight experience to join a third-division side, right? Wrong.
Dharmaraj Ravanan was keen to join Bengaluru United for two simple reasons – he wanted more game time and heard plenty of positive things about the club from others.
“The main reason for me joining FC Bengaluru United was that I wanted more game time. The last four years I’ve been in the I-League but I haven’t played enough.
“I want to be playing more often and Bengaluru United gave me that chance. I also know Richard Hood (the head coach) and I’ve played under him before.
“And when the offer came and I asked around, I heard nothing but good things about the club. As such, it was a very easy decision for me to join Bengaluru United.”
The easy decision was made even easier when he saw the type of set-up the club have. Ravanan was amazed at the professionalism on display at the club, as well as the facilities and infrastructure they had access to.
Little wonder then that he said he’d never been at a club as well-run as FC Bengaluru United.
“It’s a little hard to compare (to other clubs I played for) but FC Bengaluru United are very professionally run. They take care of their players both on and off the field.
“I never actually expected to see such a wonderful infrastructure in place. Some clubs in the top flight would not have the kind of facilities we have access to. I’ve been part of many sides but none have been like this.”
The team are currently taking part in the Durand Cup, but the goal for the season is simple: promotion to the I-League.
Bengaluru United FC nearly made it into the top-flight last season but narrowly missed out. This time, however, Dharmaraj Ravanan is confident they are prepared to get the job done.
That being said, he is under no illusion of the scale of the challenge ahead. Bengaluru United might be a good side, but the second division has plenty of other sides who could potentially go the distance.
“The team has been preparing for almost two months now. Thankfully everyone is looking fit and focused for the upcoming season ahead.
“Since FC Bengaluru United are relatively newer side with younger players, we need some competitive matches before the league season begins.
“The Durand Cup is a good way to prepare for that. Yes, I have won the tournament a few times with other sides but this is a new side and this is a new challenge.”
The reason he is so confident of the side’s chances? Their intense pre-season preparation as well as some key player transfers including the likes of Pedro Manzi, who powered Chennai City FC to an I-League title in 2018-19.
“The club are keen to get into the top division and it’s definitely possible to accomplish that this season.
“That’s because I don’t think any clubs have put in the kind of preparation and efforts that we have. We’ve had a two-month long pre-season and for me, preparation is key.
“The club have also made some good signings who will add experience and steel to a young side.
“Of course, there are other good teams like Kerala and Delhi FC but we are as well prepared as can be for the season,” he signed off.
