Hardik Bhatt is a familiar name among followers of Indian football. But for a long time, familiarity never equated to enough chances on the biggest stage.
The 29-year-old right-back has waited for that chance for years and, at East Bengal, he looks determined to make the most of it now.
Hardik’s journey can be traced back to the 2022-23 season. He was part of a star-studded Mumbai City FC squad which had a historic campaign. The Islanders won the ISL League Shield and made history in the AFC Champions League by becoming the first Indian club to win two matches in the competition.
But Hardik was left watching from the sidelines as Mumbai City made history. He never played in those AFC games.
The ISL wasn’t exactly kind to him either. Hardik got just one outing that season, and that too after Mumbai City had already sealed the League Shield.
It was a tough phase for a young Indian footballer – to be part of a winning team but seldom get a chance to make a difference on the field.
Three seasons later, the story is very different. Instead, Hardik chose a different route, going down the football pyramid and getting regular minutes with I-League side Sreenidi Deccan. His performances were enough to get him named in the I-League Team of the Season. Time was of the essence. Rather than using the few chances at the top level and stalling his career, he improved his game and showed that he could still find his way back to the biggest stage.
And that is where East Bengal came into the story. The Kolkata giants had been keeping tabs on Hardik. A club that had been away from the glory days for years had finally returned to the top of Indian football, winning the ISL after 22 years.
There’s a poetic quality to the match-up. East Bengal’s return to the top is similar to Hardik’s own career revival. They had both been away from where they felt they belonged, only to return stronger.
Hardik was signed by East Bengal for a campaign that carries huge expectations, with the club looking to defend their ISL crown and represent India at the highest level of Asian club football.
And he couldn’t have got off to a better start.
East Bengal secured their 17th Durand Cup title in style by beating arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant 4-1 last week. It was a first trophy for Hardik at the club and early signs that he has finally found the platform he has been waiting for.
He played in all four of the tournament’s matches, scoring a goal and providing an assist from the right-back position. More importantly, he was consistently impressive in his defensive displays.
His performances weren’t limited to the Durand Cup. Hardik also contributed with a composed display in East Bengal’s AFC Champions League Two wins in the preliminary round against Al Arabi, showing he can handle the rigours of continental football.
After the emphatic win against Mohun Bagan SG, we got a chance to sit down with Hardik and talk about his journey and his new beginning in Kolkata.
Somnath: Hardik, first of all, congratulations. You are playing for such a big club and have won your first trophy within just a few days. How does it feel?
Hardik: “Firstly, it’s an honour to play for such a big club. And coming to the performance, I think it was a collective effort. We were one as a team and that clearly reflected on the pitch.”
The right-back’s displays have already indicated that a move to East Bengal could be a major step in his career. But for Hardik, the motivation is simple.
Somnath: You were impressive last season in the I-League, which eventually brought you here to East Bengal. What has been your motivation?
Hardik: “The motivation is always you can do better. So this was a good start for the season and eyes on the prize. We have the AFC coming up and ISL, so we are all focused on that.”
There is little doubt that Hardik could become an important part of East Bengal’s setup, especially with Mohammed Rakip unavailable and Boris Singh recovering from injury. Head coach Antonio Lopes Habas has found him more assured at right-back than the 29-year-old.
And when asked to describe his Spanish coach in one word, Hardik did not hesitate.
Somnath: One word on coach Antonio Lopes Habas?
Hardik: “He is a legend.”
Hardik’s story, however, goes beyond East Bengal.
It is a reminder to Indian footballers that a lack of opportunities at the highest level does not necessarily have to define a career. Sometimes, taking a step down can actually be the first step towards moving forward.
For players who find themselves struggling for regular minutes in the ISL, the lower divisions can provide something equally valuable – game time, responsibility and the opportunity to prove themselves.
Hardik did exactly that.
He left the comfort of being part of a top-flight squad without playing regularly, went to the I-League, established himself, earned recognition and eventually returned to the top with one of Indian football’s biggest clubs.
Now, East Bengal and Hardik Bhatt find themselves at a similar point in their respective journeys.
Both have experienced the fall. Both have fought their way back. And both are now shining brighter than ever.
The post Hardik Bhatt’s Rising Story: From Limited Chances at Mumbai City FC to East Bengal Breakthrough appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
