With arms outstretched, he stood before a sea of adoring fans, capturing their hearts within the expansive embrace of the giant Kanteerava Stadium. In that fleeting moment, Sunil Chhetri wielded an invisible force over the amassed ranks of Indian fans, as if he cast a spell.

Then, like the breaking of a dam, euphoria cascaded through the stadium. The stands quivered and dissolved into a tumult of exultation, a cacophony of joy, relief, and validation reverberating throughout the colossal arena.