Why Indian Football Struggles to Produce Talent Like Cricket

In recent years, India has seen a surge in cricket talent with young players emerging as stars on the international stage. However, the same cannot be said for football in the country. The recent recall of a 40-year-old footballer out of retirement has raised questions about why Indian football struggles to produce talent like cricket. Despite football being a popular sport globally, it has always played second fiddle to cricket in India. The lack of infrastructure, investment, and grassroots development programs for football are some of the key reasons behind the struggle. Cricket, on the other hand, has a well-established system with state-of-the-art facilities and coaching programs that nurture young talent from a very early age. The success of the Indian cricket team has also led to a surge in interest and investment in the sport, while football has not received the same level of attention. Additionally, the lack of a professional football league on par with the Indian Premier League (IPL) in cricket has hindered the growth of football in the country. The lack of opportunities for young footballers to showcase their talent and earn a living from the sport has also been a major issue. While cricket offers lucrative contracts and endorsements to its players, footballers in India often struggle to make ends meet. The recent success of the Indian Super League (ISL) has provided some hope for the future of football in the country, but there is still a long way to go. In order to produce footballers like it does cricketers, India needs to invest in infrastructure, grassroots development, and create more opportunities for young players to excel. Only then can Indian football truly compete on the global stage and produce world-class talent.