Jhingan returned to ATK Mohun Bagan in the January transfer window following an unsuccessful four-month spell with Croatia's top-tier club HNK Sibenik.
Follow Us
Indian national team defender Sandesh Jhingan opened up on his spell in Croatia and his desire to get back on the field as quickly as possible for the Indian Super League (ISL) club ATK Mohun Bagan. The 28-year-old’s ambitious move to Croatia’s top-tier club HNK Sibenik was not fruitful as anticipated by the defender. Two days after landing in the country, Jhingan was injured and barely after four months he drew curtains on his European dreams. And then, he returned with his former club ATK Mohun Bagan in the January transfer window.
— Sandesh Jhingan (@SandeshJhingan) February 1, 2022
“It was okay, everything in life is an experience. When I decided to go there, I wanted to go out of my comfort zone, so I knew where I was heading. I spoke with the coach about how I can learn from the Croatian players and help the team, it was productive. I got injured on the second or third day, which was unexpected.”
“But I have no regrets about how it went there because I had given everything. Many times, no matter how hard you work, no matter how big your plans are, if it’s not gonna happen, it’s not gonna happen,” Jhingan told Hindustan Times in an interview.
Jhingan is arguably India’s best central defender and is a regular in the national team. He made his national team debut in 2015 and has won 36 international caps, scoring four times. He is known for his tough, no-nonsense and courageous defending. He elaborated his move to play in Europe as a courageous decision and felt that it made him more of a winner for trying to take a big step rather than staying in his comfort zone.
The defender, who is yet to make his debut in this campaign of the Hero ISL, appreciated his club ATK Mohun Bagan for being supportive of him.
“I’m happy to be back. When there was a change in management and the coach left in Sibenik, I decided with my family that I think I should come back now to fix this injury. I wanted to start playing quickly because we had important national games coming up. ATK Mohun Bagan were very supportive even after the ACL,” said India’s number 5.
Jhingan played for the Kerala Blasters FC between 2014 and 2020 before making the move to the Kolkata club. During his six-year spell with the Kochi side, the defender became a fan favourite and he played a pivotal role in the club making two final appearances in 2014 and 2016.
The Mariners are currently placed seventh in the league standings with 20 points from 12 games. Hyderabad FC are at the summit with 26 points from 14 matches, followed by Kerala Blasters FC with 23 points from 13 game.
Juan Ferrando’s side are on an eight-game unbeaten run and will next face the leaders Hyderabad FC in a crucial match in Bambolim on Tuesday.
