With the illustrious career of Sunil Chhetri coming to an end with his farewell match on 6th of June, now there is only one question in the minds of football fans across India. And that question is, 'Who is next?' Who will be the one to replace the man who carried the mantle of Indian football on his back for over a decade and half. Who will be the next number 9 of the Indian football team?

Sunil Chhetri, with his incredible goal-scoring prowess and leadership, has set a high bar, but several young talents are emerging who could potentially fill his shoes. Here are five promising stars who have the potential to become India's new No. 9.

1. Ishan Pandita

Ishan Pandita, the young forward who has already shown glimpses of his potential, is a name on every Indian football fan's lips. Having honed his skills in Spain with various youth academies, Pandita brings a wealth of international experience. His sharp instincts, aerial ability, and knack for scoring crucial goals make him a natural successor to Chhetri. Pandita’s performances in the Indian Super League (ISL) have been impressive, and with more international exposure, he could become the go-to striker for India.

2. Manvir Singh

Manvir Singh, another strong contender, has been a standout performer in the ISL and for the national team. Known for his physical presence, pace, and versatility, Manvir has the ability to play both as a central striker and on the wings. His goal-scoring abilities and work rate have earned him a reputation as a reliable forward. With consistent performances and further development, Manvir Singh could be the talisman that India needs in the post-Chhetri era.

3. Rahim Ali

Rahim Ali is a young and dynamic forward who has been making waves in Indian football. His agility, dribbling skills, and ability to find the back of the net have made him a key player for his club and the national team. Ali's versatility allows him to play multiple roles in the attacking third, providing tactical flexibility. With his talent and determination, Rahim Ali is poised to become a crucial player for India in the coming years.

4. Farukh Choudhary

Farukh Choudhary is another promising forward who has shown great potential. His pace, technical skills, and goal-scoring ability have made him a standout player in the ISL. Choudhary’s tenacity and ability to perform under pressure are qualities that could see him emerge as a key figure for the national team. As he continues to develop and gain experience, Farukh Choudhary could very well be the next big thing in Indian football.

5. Liston Colaco

Liston Colaco, with his flair and creativity, offers a different dimension to the forward line. Known for his dribbling prowess, speed, and finishing, Colaco has been a revelation in the ISL. His ability to take on defenders and create scoring opportunities makes him a valuable asset. If he continues to develop his game and gain more consistency, Liston Colaco could be the player to lead India’s attack in the future.

While Sunil Chhetri's contributions to Indian football are irreplaceable, these five young forwards show great promise and have the potential to carry the torch forward. As they continue to grow and gain more experience, Indian football fans can look forward to a bright future with these talented players leading the charge.

And while the next generation of stars are gearing up, for the growth of football, it is also important that we continue to produce more Sunil Chhetris and Bhaichung Bhutias at the grassroots level.

For budding footballers who wish to follow the footsteps of greats like Chhetri, proper footballing equipment such as shoes become necessary. This will ensure that their on-field performance is optimised while they also remain protected from unwanted injuries. For emerging grassroots players, football shoes from Nivia Sports like Ashtang, Ditmar, Dominator are perfect. They are of international quality, while also being easy to afford.

While we celebrate the culmination of a glorious chapter of Indian football with the retirement of Sunil Chhetri, we all must gear up to take India to the greater heights of the sport in the coming years. For this all the stakeholders, including equipment manufacturers like Nivia must work together with dedication. Because we all want Indian football to #MoveUp