Jharkhand’s Nikhil Barla gets first taste of international football

London/Jamshedpur, May 31: Nikhil Barla’s dream became reality on Friday night as the 22-year-old left-back earned his first cap for the Senior Indian National Football Team against Zimbabwe at the Unity Cup, London. Though India’s Unity Cup 2026 campaign ended in disappointment as the Blue Tigers suffered a second consecutive defeat, going down 0-1 against Zimbabwe in the third-place play-off at The Valley in London on Saturday.

Amid the result, there was a personal milestone for Nikhil Barla. The 22-year-old Jamshedpur FC left-back made his senior India debut when he replaced Nikhil Poojary in the 89th minute, earning his first cap under head coach Khalid Jameel.

For Barla, the moment capped a whirlwind week from receiving his maiden call-up to stepping onto the pitch in the Indian jersey. “Wearing the Indian jersey was always the dream,” Barla said after the match. “Even if it was just a few minutes, to play for my country is something I’ll never forget. This is just the start.”

The brief cameo saw Barla slot in at left-back during closing stages as India pushed for an equaliser. Though he had limited time to influence play, the appearance marks a foundation for the young defender who has risen from Khunti to Tata Football Academy to ISL regular with Jamshedpur FC.

The debut also reunited Barla with Jamil, who previously coached him at club level. “Coach knows my game and gives me confidence,” Barla said earlier this week. “That trust helps when you’re making your first steps at this international level.”

Barla, assessing the tournament, said the Unity Cup provided valuable lessons against higher-ranked opposition. “We wanted a different result, but these games show us where we stand and what we need to improve.” For players like Nikhil, getting a taste of international football is important. It’s a foundation he can build on.