Exposure will make them better: Ganguly backs India after Uruguay loss
Sourav Ganguly urges fans to look beyond the scoreline after India's heavy 6-1 loss to Uruguay, highlighting the importance of elite exposure.
Former Indian cricket captain and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly has come to the defense of the Indian football team following their heavy 6-1 defeat against Uruguay at the Salt Lake Stadium. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Ganguly emphasized that facing world-class opposition is the only path toward progress for the national side.
Focus on growth, not just the scoreline
Speaking to reporters after the match on Tuesday, Ganguly urged supporters to look past the immediate disappointment of the result. He argued that the level of competition provided by teams like Uruguay is indispensable for the development of Indian players.
"They need to play more of these. That's the only way they can get better. Exposure makes better, so let's not worry about the result or the goals. You're playing against a much superior team, but that's the only way you improve," Ganguly stated.
A historic moment for Anirudh Thapa
While the match was dominated by the Uruguayan side, the evening was not without a significant milestone for Indian football. Anirudh Thapa provided a glimmer of hope for the home crowd by scoring a historic goal, momentarily bringing the game to life.
Thapa’s achievement places him in an elite group of Indian footballers. He has become only the second Indian to score against Uruguay in a senior international fixture. The only other player to achieve this feat was Manas Bhattacharya, who scored during India's 3-1 loss to the same opponent at Eden Gardens during the 1982 Nehru Cup.
A challenging window for India
The defeat marks a difficult conclusion to a three-match international window for the Indian squad. The team's recent performances against high-caliber opponents have highlighted the significant gap in quality between India and the world's elite:
- Panama: A draw.
- Brazil: A defeat.
- Uruguay: A 6-1 defeat.
Across these three matches against sides that competed in the 2026 World Cup, India managed to score twice but conceded a total of 11 goals. While Uruguay's clinical response showed how quickly elite-level matches can slip away, the experience remains a vital part of the team's long-term journey.