We present the new face of Indian football: Jeje Lalpekhlua, who has Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri raving.
THE BEATLES classic playing in the car is evoking a mix of nostalgia and amusement in the person at the wheel. “Tomorrow may rain? It rains every day of the month in Aizawl in July,” quips Jeje Lalpekhlua, 25, Indian football’s new goal-scoring sensation, as he guides his white Creta SX Plus across the Mizo capital through a light drizzle.
Our destination is the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Mualpui, on the outskirts of the city. As we move from Zarkawt, near the city centre, across Bara Bazaar, the Chhinga Veng church, the Millennium Centre Mall and College Veng, it becomes clear that the footballer enjoys star status here. Cabbies stop their Maruti 800 taxis and honk; students on bicycles gesticulate with cries of ‘Jeje, Jeje!’ and even Mizo singer Rosy K Remsangpuii, a YouTube sensation, flags him down at an intersection to exchange pleasantries.
As we near the stadium, the downpour becomes stronger, reducing the traffic to a crawl. The way Jeje negotiates his SUV through the bylanes, snaking his way through a maze of scooties, motorcycles, trucks and cars, the manoeuvring qualities of the striker known to position himself strategically in the penalty box, come to the fore. As is expected of an explosive football forward, being at the right place at the right moment comes effortlessly to Jeje Lalpekhlua.
TOP OF THE POPS
Ever since he made his international debut five years ago, Jeje, as he is popularly known in football circles, has made his presence felt in India’s forward line, along with skipper Sunil Chhetri. In May 2015, he won the I-League with Mohun Bagan. Six months later, he was part of the Chennaiyin FC outfit that lifted the Indian Super League (ISL) trophy and in January this year, he scored thrice in four matches during the South Asian Football Federation championship.
ãã®èšäºã¯ Brunch Mumbai ã® August 21, 2016 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ Brunch Mumbai ã® August 21, 2016 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
More Than A Sporting Chance - Sunday Drive
The new SUV from the traditional AstonMartin may be the game changer the company needs
Time To Respect The Tandoor - Rude Food
No, itâs not just an oven for flabby broiler chicken tikka. It is Indiaâs contribution to the global barbecue tradition.
YOUR TRYST WITH DESTINY
Astrologer, numerologist, tarot reader and vastu expert Mr P Khurrana looks at what the stars may have in store for you this fortnight
SUSHI SO FINE!
Meet former Nobu chef Edwin Sta, whose new restaurant in Pune is what every serious Japanese food lover is talking about
Past Perfect - spectator
There comes a time in life when looking back is as much of a joy as looking forward
BEYOND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM
Thereâs so much more to Japan than sakura, geishas and tea ceremonies
BEFRIENDING ECONOMICS
A courageous attempt at understanding the queen of the social sciences
ARTIST OF ALL TRADES
LEAVE ALONE CURATOR AND CREATOR, BOSE KRISHNAMACHARI IS ALSO A TRAINED DANCER, THEATRE ARTIST AND A FORMER RESTAURANT SKETCH ARTIST! WHAT DOES HE ENJOY THE MOST?
Six-Pack At Any Age!
IF AGE MAKES YOUR METABOLISM SLUGGISH, IS IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET SIX-PACK ABS? ITâS NOT, SAYS ACTOR ROHIT ROY, AND SHOWS YOU HOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!
Into The North Eastern Mist
Arunachal Pradesh is one of Indiaâs most beautiful states and most of it is unspoilt and untouched by time