From a spectator to ISL winning strike, Rahul Bheke's life comes full circle in 4 yrs

By Rohan Abraham

Rahul Shankar Bheke has a spring in his step these days. “I have always kept my feet on the ground, but sometimes, you have to aim high to be truly successful,” he says. Life has come full circle for the 28-year-old from Navi Mumbai. Four summers ago, Bheke and his friends were in the stands to watch the final of the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, a stone’s throw away from his childhood home in Nerul.
Bheke currently plies his trade for Bengaluru FC, and a return to the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri to face FC Goa was a homecoming of sorts. “I was doubly excited to get a chance to play in the ISL final, that too in front of my friends, family, and fans,” he says.


On a balmy Sunday evening in suburban Mumbai, Rahul Bheke rose to the challenge of performing in familiar surroundings. Playing under the floodlights, the two sides were inseparable after regulation time, and the tie looked set to be decided on penalties. In the dying moments of the game, Bheke leaped highest following a corner kick to guide a looping header beyond the outthrust arms of the goalkeeper. The local lad’s acrobatic intervention was enough for Bengaluru FC to clinch its maiden ISL title after faltering at the final hurdle last year.

Early days
Bheke’s journey from the stands to the podium is a tale of many dressing rooms. A veteran journeyman, the boy from St. Augustine High School in Nerul has represented seven different clubs in almost as many years. He juggled football and academics during his stint with Mahindra United’s Under-19 team. However, the lure of a career in football won out in the end.
Bheke signed his first professional contract in 2010, and went on to play for a host of clubs across the country. He recalls his time at East Bengal with relish, describing his goal against Mohun Bagan in the storied Kolkata derby as a one of the standout moments of his career. He was loaned out a couple of times before striking a permanent transfer to Bengaluru FC in 2017.
Leap of faith

Rahul Bheke is standing tall in an era dominated by much taller players. A little over five foot ten; Bheke is an exception to the notion that only big, strapping defenders can make a nuisance of themselves in the opposing team’s penalty box. He makes up for his seemingly modest physical attributes by out-jumping players who would normally tower over him.




In addition to his defensive contributions, Bheke has made a habit of scoring in big games. “Whenever a ball is flung into the penalty box, I am optimistic of winning the header, be it in a defensive or offensive situation. We practice many different set piece routines in training. The goal in the final is result of all the hard work,” he says.

Bright lights, big money
When the ISL first pitched its tent in the Indian football landscape, it was met with skepticism. The tables have turned. “The ISL has been a great addition to the footballing calendar. The franchises have much bigger budgets than their I-League counterparts, which in turn translates into better deals for players. Apart from the monetary aspect, the learning curve is massive for Indian footballers as we get to share dressing rooms with international players and train under foreign coaches,” Bheke says.

Unlike the I-League, the ISL has only one tier, which means that it will have to grow organically by adding new teams. Bheke added that Mohun Bagan and East Bengal were mulling offers to join the ISL. “Ideally, there should only be one league. The future of smaller teams in the I-League seems uncertain if the traditional powerhouses decide to opt out,” he opined.

Waiting game
Despite his recent success in club football, Bheke insists that an India call is not on the back of his mind. The versatile defender is yet to make his bow for the Blue Tigers. “Every player dreams of playing for his national team. There is competition for places, and that is understandable. I shall keep working hard for my club. If and when an opportunity comes to play for India, I shall be fully prepared,” he said.
Role models

“I grew up watching videos of Zinedine Zidane. He was the best player of his generation,” Bheke recounts. When asked whether he would follow in his idol’s footsteps by pursuing a career in management, he is taciturn. “You never know.”

Bheke is a fan of FC Barcelona and he is torn between club loyalty and allegiance to his idol, Zidane, who has a long-standing association with bitter rivals, Real Madrid. In the Premier League, Bheke is backing defending champions Manchester City to go all the way.