Nikhil Prabhu has established himself as a mainstay in the national team set-up and a cornerstone for Punjab FC. Having recently signed a contract extension to lead the side into the upcoming Indian Super League season, the Punjab FC captain sat down with RevSportz to discuss his commitment to the club, the tactical transition under their new Greek head coach, Pavlos Dermitzakis, the alarming news of Jamshedpur FC’s shutdown, and the reality of facing international heavyweights like Brazil.
Q: What went behind your decision to extend your contract with Punjab FC?
Nikhil Prabhu: Last year, we set specific targets to challenge for the Super Cup and the league title, and we fell just short in a few key moments. Punjab FC gave me the platform and support that ultimately helped me make my debut for the national team. I felt it was time to give back to the club by bringing home silverware, and that was the primary motivation behind extending my stay here.
Q: Punjab FC are going through a notable squad revamp, including the departure of key players and former coach Panagiotis Dilmperis to Mohun Bagan. How is the squad adapting under the new Greek head coach, Pavlos Dermitzakis, and fresh additions?
Nikhil Prabhu: Everything is progressing normally. We are actively working on adapting to the new head coach’s philosophy. He brings extensive experience from coaching in the Greek top-tier and guiding PAOK in the UEFA Europa League. The squad retains its hunger because of how closely we missed out on trophies last season. Our primary focus right now is absorbing his tactical ideas and executing them on the pitch.
Q: From a player’s perspective, how crucial is having a clear four-year roadmap for the ISL after last season’s uncertainties?
Nikhil Prabhu: Stability is everything for a professional footballer. A player’s career is naturally unpredictable due to injuries and form fluctuations, so having absolute clarity that we will be playing a full schedule of over 20 matches per season for the next four years brings tremendous peace of mind. Players want to travel, play in packed stadiums, and compete consistently. Having that structure locked in allows us to focus entirely on performance.
Q: What can Indian football fans expect from Punjab FC this upcoming season?
Nikhil Prabhu: Punjab FC function more like a family than just a football club. We have a solid mix of experienced leaders and young players, creating a set-up that is defensively disciplined and difficult for opponents to break down. The mindset instilled in us is to remain aggressive, give complete effort on the pitch, and embrace the high-pressure moments.
Q: The news of an international friendly between India and Brazil, alongside the concerning update about Jamshedpur FC shutting down. What was your immediate reaction to both developments?
Nikhil Prabhu: Facing a team like Brazil, filled with global stars playing at the highest levels in Europe, is naturally a dream for any professional footballer. But the reality hit hard when the news about Jamshedpur FC shutting down came through. It paints a sober picture when established corporate entities step back from investing in Indian football. Playing against Brazil is an extraordinary prospect, but as players, we realise that we first need to clean up and stabilise our domestic ecosystem to truly enjoy those massive occasions.
Q: As someone with close friends and colleagues across the league, how has the news of Jamshedpur FC’s exit affected the player community?
Nikhil Prabhu: It is a deeply unsettling moment for everyone involved. Tata has been a foundational pillar for Indian football for decades. The Tata Football Academy (TFA) set the benchmark for youth development and produced players who went on to represent top clubs and the national team. Playing in Jamshedpur was always special — the matchday environment felt like a city-wide festival. I hope the executive management at Tata reconsiders this decision, keeping in mind the passionate local fanbase, the club staff, and the young players whose livelihoods depend on it.
Q: Looking ahead at the next four years, what key steps must Indian clubs prioritise to ensure long-term sustainability and growth?
Nikhil Prabhu: Clubs must invest heavily in grassroots systems and reserve teams. Coming up through the ranks at Hyderabad FC, I saw first-hand how promoting youth players creates genuine pathways and motivates the next generation to pursue football as a viable career. Beyond youth development, basic sports marketing and fan engagement need significant improvement. Match awareness, localised advertising, and proper promotion drive crowds to the stands — something our marketing team at Punjab FC prioritises heavily to ensure we have that crucial 12th man behind us, even while playing out of Delhi.
Q: Punjab FC lost key domestic talent during this transfer window, including youth product Paramveer Singh. Does that impact squad depth, or will the academy pipeline handle the transitions?
Nikhil Prabhu: Paramveer is a close friend and a quality player, but the core strength of Punjab FC lies in its development structure. If a player leaves — or even if I leave tomorrow — the system is designed so that another young player from the youth ranks steps up. Developing young talent, giving them first-team minutes in the ISL, and preparing them for national team duty is the identity of this club.
The post ‘It is a dream to play against Brazil, but we need to clean the environment first’: Nikhil Prabhu appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
