“I was my biggest competitor” – Ashutosh Mehta reflects on his return to football after 800 days

by Chittu Shetty July 31, 2024

Jamshedpur, July 31^st, 2024: As Jamshedpur gathered in large numbers at the JRD Tata Sports Complex to celebrate the arrival of the 133rd Indian Oil Durand Cup in the Steel City, many people did not notice a man making a much-anticipated comeback: Ashutosh Mehta. The full-back’s return to professional football after a two-year hiatus, went under the radar but the defender delivered a performance that caught everyone’s eye and affirmed Khalid Jamil’s decision to include him in the Red Miners’ squad.

Following his national team debut, Ashutosh was handed a two-year ban starting from June 24, 2022. The two-time I-League winner played a pivotal role in securing Jamshedpur FC’s first victory in the 133rd Indian Oil Durand Cup. Reflecting on the past two years, Ashutosh shared, “Considering the situation I was in, I am in an absolute war with myself. I played a match after around 800 days and during these days, I was all by myself; I was my friend, I was my enemy, and I was my biggest competitor.”

Jamshedpur was introduced as a new venue for the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup, marking the commencement of the Indian football season. The Red Miners managed to keep a clean sheet against Assam Rifles FT in their opening game on Sunday, with Ashutosh playing a crucial role in their defence. “It’s very difficult to put in the work when there’s no camera and no one watching. I just had to keep my head down and keep working. I feel humbled and grateful to the almighty that I could make a comeback after 800 days. It’s just the beginning of a long season, but I am happy that we managed to get the three points today with a clean sheet,” he added.

Ashutosh began his professional career under Khalid Jamil, who recently signed a two-year contract as the head coach of Jamshedpur FC. Speaking about Khalid’s influence on his move to Jamshedpur FC, Ashutosh remarked, “He was the reason I was at Mumbai FC; he was the reason I joined Aizawl FC and then NorthEast United FC, and he is the reason I chose to join Jamshedpur FC. I have sincere gratitude towards the Jamshedpur FC management for trusting me and giving me this opportunity.”

Coach Khalid Jamil expressed his satisfaction with Ashutosh’s performance in the season opener, saying, “Making his comeback, Ashutosh completed the 90 minutes today, which is a positive for us. When he joined us, he was as strong, if not stronger, both mentally and physically, ready to contribute to the team’s success. He has matured, and he knows that this comeback year will be crucial for him.”