Sandesh Jhingan

Early career: 2011–14

Born in Chandigarh, Jhingan received his football training at the St Stephen's Academy. While with the academy, Jhingan helped the side reach the South-East Asian finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup. He also represented the Chandigarh state team at the under-19 level, helping them win the B.C. Roy Trophy. After impressive performances for his state side and academy team, Jhingan received a call-up to attend trials at I-League 2 side United Sikkim in November 2011. The trials were successful and he signed for the club the next month. Playing alongside former India internationals, Bhaichung Bhutia and Renedy Singh, Jhingan helped United Sikkim earn promotion to the I-League after the 2012 season. In a June 2020 interview, Jhingan said that he was rejected by many second and third division clubs in Kolkata. He said, "It was during the starting phase of my career. Back then I was looking for clubs and I appeared for quite a few trials at a number of clubs in Kolkata — even in the second and third divisions. But I was rejected by all." Jhingan made his senior professional debut in the I-League on 6 October 2012 in United Sikkim's first match of the season against Salgaocar. Jhingan started the match and lasted the whole ninety minutes and scored the winning goal for United Sikkim as they won 3–2. He then scored his second goal for the club on 18 November 2012 against Sporting Goa. His goal was the only one for United Sikkim as they lost 2–1.…

Youth

After his triumph for his state team at the B.C. Roy Trophy, Jhingan was called up to the India under-19 side. Injuries however meant that Jhingan could not attend. Jhingan was then called up to the senior India side in February 2013 for their preparatory camp but once again an injury kept him off the team. Prior to the 2013 SAFF Championship, Jhingan was selected to be part of the India national team. In September 2014, Jhingan was selected into the India under-23 side that would play in the 2014 Asian Games. Jhingan made his international debut at this level in India's opening match against the United Arab Emirates on 15 September 2014. He started the match and gave an own goal as India lost 5–0.

Senior

After his performance during the 2014 ISL season, Jhingan made his senior international debut for India against Nepal in the country's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Jhingan started the match and played the full ninety minutes as India won 2–0. Jhingan then scored his first international goal for India on 29 March 2016 against Turkmenistan. His goal was the only one though for India as they fell 2–1. Jhingan then scored his second goal for India on 7 June 2016 against Laos. His 48th-minute goal was one of six as India won 6–1. Prior to the qualifiers for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Jhingan scored his third international career goal when he scored in the 54th minute in an international friendly against Cambodia on 22 March 2017. His strike was the third…

Club

As of 11 July 2025

International

As of 9 June 2026

International goals

Scores and results list India's goal tally first

On 21 August 2020, Jhingan became the twenty seventh footballer to win the Arjuna Award. Jhingan is a supporter of the Premier League club Manchester United. He is married to Ivanka Pavlova, a photographer from Russia.

Controversy

On 19 February 2022, Jhingan made headlines for making a 'sexist comment' after a match with ATK Mohun Bagan against his former club Kerala Blasters. In an Instagram story posted by ATK Mohun Bagan after the match concluded, Jhingan was heard saying "We have played a match with women, with women". He was met with immediate criticism by the fans, and the hashtag #BringBack21 trended on Twitter with Kerala Blasters fans urging the club management to revert the decision of retiring the number 21 jersey after Jhingan had left the club. Jhingan later formally apologised through his social media platforms. Later on 21 April 2022, the Blasters brought their number 21 jersey out of retirement and gave it to Bijoy Varghese, while announcing his three-year contract extension with the club.