Indian football’s two former greats, Bhaichung Bhutia and IM Vijayan differed in their opinion on Sunil Chhetri’s return to the Indian team coming off retirement. Both the former Indian captains came to attend the East Bengal function 'Dipak Jyoti’ held in Kolkata on the occasion of the late Dipak Das’s death anniversary.

Bhutia in his opinion stated, “Sunil’s comeback in the senior national team coming off retirement is not a good advertisement for Indian football. Manolo could have called up the country’s any potential striker against the oppositions like Maldives and Bangladesh.” 

Bhutia however praised Sunil saying, “He deserves credit for dedication even at this age. He has been scoring goals also.”

Bhaichung also added, “Even I feel the national coach might been influenced before calling Sunil back in the team.”

He also raised question adding, “Why did Sunil retire on 6th June last year after playing against Kuwait? He could have said goodbye after playing against Qatar in the national team’s next crucial match.” Simultaneously, Bhaichung criticized the standard of referring in the ISL.

However, IM Vijayan did not agree with Bhaichung and he stated, “I do not tend to raise any question considering Sunil’s current form. Whatever the age is, he has been scoring goals, becoming top scorer in ISL among the Indian strikers. If his return helps national team to get success then it should always be welcomed.”