One of the first names on the team sheet for the Indian national team, Sandesh Jhingan has been a part of the starting XI for the Blue Tigers ever since his debut in 2-0 win over Nepal in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in 2015.

A key figurehead in India’s 2019 AFC Asian Cup campaign, the defender also played a vital role in recent successes with the national team, such as the Tri-Nations Cup (2017), the Intercontinental Cup (twice – 2018 and 2023) and the SAFF Championship (2023).

Hailing from Punjab, Jhingan kick-started his professional football career with United Sikkim in 2011. Following a short stint with Rangdajied United, the centre-back emerged as one of the top picks by Kerala Blasters during the first-ever players’ draft of the Hero ISL in 2014. Over the next six seasons, the 30-year-old became one of the most important names on the KBFC team-sheet, eventually becoming the Club’s captain.

In 2020-21, he moved to ATK Mohun Bagan, before earning an opportunity to ply his trade with HNK Sibenik in the Croatian top division the same season. The recently concluded 2022-23 season saw Sandesh Jhingan turn up for Bengaluru FC, with whom he won the Durand Cup last September.

During a previous loan stint with Bengaluru FC in 2017, Jhingan also won the Federation Cup. Overall, he has played 129 matches in the ISL since its inception, reaching the finals on four different occasions.