Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has stressed the importance of providing Indian footballers with regular opportunities to compete against top international teams, saying that consistent exposure to stronger opposition is essential for the sport’s growth in the country.
Speaking about the significance of international fixtures against big teams, Ganguly welcomed the opportunity for India to face higher-ranked opposition.
“It’s good. Why wouldn’t it be good to play football against big teams?” Ganguly said.
However, the former India captain emphasised that such matches should not be restricted to occasional fixtures or special events. He believes Indian footballers need to play against quality opposition consistently throughout the year to gain valuable experience and improve their overall game.
“This needs to happen throughout the year so that players get proper exposure. I always believe that playing against teams better than yourself helps improve your own game,” he said.
Ganguly drew a comparison with Indian cricket, pointing out how regular competition against the world’s leading teams has contributed to the development of Indian cricketers.
“Look at cricket, they play against top-quality teams all year round, which is why they get better. The same approach needs to be applied here,” he said.
According to Ganguly, regularly facing stronger opponents can help Indian footballers understand the demands of international football, adapt to different styles of play and raise their competitive standards.
He also expressed hope that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) would continue working towards creating a stronger and more consistent international calendar for the Indian national football team.
For Indian football to make sustained progress on the international stage, Ganguly believes that regular high-quality fixtures will be crucial. Rather than relying on isolated opportunities to face big teams, Indian players need a steady stream of challenging matches throughout the year.
His message is clear: if Indian football wants to improve, its players must consistently compete against teams that are better than them.
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