Sunil Chhetri cemented his legacy as one of Indian football’s all-time greats. He became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the Indian Super League (ISL). At 40 years and 126 days, Chhetri led Bengaluru FC to a stunning 4-2 victory over Kerala Blasters on Saturday. He rewrote the ISL history by surpassing the previous record held by Bartholomew Ogbeche at 38 years, 96 days.
Chhetri’s treble came in the 8th, 73rd, and 90+8 minutes. It showed his precision and relentless hunger for goals. Ryan Williams added to Bengaluru’s tally in the 38th minute with a spectacular strike. Kerala Blasters launched a spirited fight with goals from Jesus Jimenez (56th) and Freddy Lallawmawma (67th).
Bengaluru FC capitalized on their chances early. Chhetri scored in the 8th minute after a perfectly timed run met Williams’ pinpoint cross. The home side continued to press forward, with Williams playing a key role in the attack.
In the 38th minute, Williams shifted from provider to scorer. He curled a stunning shot from the edge of the box into the top-left corner, giving Bengaluru a 2-0 advantage before halftime.
Kerala Blasters returned stronger in the second half. Noah Sadaoui’s incisive play created an opportunity for Jesus Jimenez in the 56th minute to reduce the deficit. Freddy Lallawmawma equalized with a powerful header off Adrian Luna’s corner 11 minutes later.
Bengaluru responded swiftly, with Chhetri at the heart of their resurgence. Assisted by Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Chhetri struck in the 73rd minute to reclaim the lead. He continued to exploit defensive gaps. In the 90+8 minute, he completed his hat-trick, converting a well-placed pass from Chinglensana Singh from a set-piece.
Chhetri’s positioning and clinical finishing ensured Bengaluru FC’s victory and his place in the record books.
He retired from international football earlier this year. Still, Chhetri remains a symbol of consistency and determination. His historic hat-trick shows his brilliance and enduring influence on Indian football.
With this performance, Bengaluru FC climbed further in the ISL standings. Kerala Blasters must regroup after a hard-fought loss.
