Subimal ‘Chuni’ Goswami’s death has left a void in Indian sports. At 85, the man who captained India to Asian Games football gold and later starred in Test cricket bid adieu, leaving behind a blueprint for athletic greatness across disciplines.
Hailing from a football-mad Kolkata, Goswami joined Mohun Bagan as a teenager. His rise was meteoric: by 1962, he was national captain. The Asian Games triumph that year – a 2-1 victory over South Korea – cemented his status as a hero. Graceful, visionary, and clutch, he was football’s golden boy.
Then came the improbable switch. Retiring from football post-1962, Goswami turned to cricket, debuting for Bengal soon after. His technique was textbook: straight bat, perfect follow-through. India called in 1971; in five Tests, he notched 303 runs, captaining Bengal with distinction in Ranji Trophy.
Goswami’s career highlights the fluidity of sports in his era. No silos, just pure passion. He juggled Bank of Baroda duties with cricket, later influencing as a national selector. Peers recall his humility and insight, qualities that amplified his on-field prowess.
As tributes flood in from FIFA to BCCI, it’s clear: Goswami transcended sports. His story of reinvention resonates today, amid debates on athlete specialization. India honors a colossus whose footprints span football pitches and cricket greens.