Vishal Kaith sets record for longest gap in caps

Vishal Kaith, a 28-year-old Indian goalkeeper, made headlines by breaking a record for the longest gap between two appearances for the national team. His fifth cap for India came 2,377 days after his fourth appearance. This remarkable match was a friendly against the Maldives, where India won 3-0. Kaith last played in 2018 during the SAFF Championships. He stood out as the team's goalie in that tournament, where India finished as runners-up. Interestingly, both of his matches against Maldives came in different tournaments. After the game, Kaith expressed his excitement about returning to the field after such a long time. He noted that being a goalkeeper can make it challenging to secure a spot on the national team. He also shared his admiration for playing alongside veteran player Sunil Chhetri. Kaith described this match as his debut, emphasizing that he had never played with senior players before, especially Chhetri. He acknowledged the struggles of being away from the game but mentioned that hard work in training eventually pays off. Throughout the years, Kaith believes he has matured and improved in decision-making on the field. He stressed the importance of performing well at the club level to earn a place in the national squad. Currently, he plays for Mohun Bagan Super Giant and is leading the race for the Golden Glove in the Indian Super League. He credited his team's collective effort for his success. Kaith mentioned that good team defense made his job easier during the match against Maldives. He also discussed the mental strength required for goalkeepers, noting the friendly competition among them. Kaith praised his relationship with fellow goalkeepers Gurpreet and Amrinder. They support each other and help improve their skills, even if only one can play in each match. Overall, Kaith’s determination and teamwork highlight his journey back to the national team.