'For The Fun Of The Game': Aditi Chauhan Reflects On Dream Career Following Retirement

Last Updated:July 18, 2025, 12:48 IST

The shot-stopper, who has 57 caps for the Blue Tigresses, reminisced on her 17-year career, which she termed unimaginable at the beginning of the journey.

Former Team India Goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan. (X)

Former Indian goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan, who called time on her decorated career on Thursday, reflected on her journey in the sport following her decision to hang up her gloves.

The shot-stopper, who has 57 caps for the Blue Tigresses, reminisced on her 17-year career, which she termed unimaginable at the beginning of the adventure.

“Playing football, I didn’t know there was a national team first of all. So I started because of the fun of the game," she opened up.

“When I started, I never imagined that, you know, everything that I achieved," the 32-year-old continued.

“It was not even a dream that I could imagine," the custodian said.

Chauhan, who played for Women’s Super League side West Ham in 2016, was part of the Indian national team that won the SAFF Women’s Championship in 2012, 2016, and 2019.

Chauhan expressed her desire to give back to the game by helping mold the next generation of players starting at the grassroot level.

“I would love to. These last few years also, I’ve been mentoring the other goalkeepers. I enjoy that role," she said.

“I don’t want to commit that I want to get into coaching. But yes, I would definitely like to help out," the former India women’s number one custodian said.

Chauhan also touched upon the challenges she faced during her stint on the sidelines due to ACL injuries twice over and what kept her going through he testing phase.

“Last year when I came back from my second ACL and played the IWL, my whole reason for coming back was to find that joy again. I didn’t want to leave football on a sour note with an injury," she said.

“There were other goalkeepers playing. So, I had to again earn that spot in starting 11… I knew that once I’m back on the field, I’ll earn my number one spot. And I did."

After a two-year stint at West Ham, she returned to India in early 2018 and joined Gokulam Kerala FC for the 2019-20 Indian Women’s League. She led Gokulam Kerala FC to victory in the Indian Women’s League in 2019-20 and 2021-22, reached the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Club Championship, and secured a third-place finish at the domestic level.

“I felt as long as I’m playing, I’ll always compete for number one spot. And that means that no one else will be able to… So that was also a part of that decision to kind of step aside and let the young guns take it from here," she added.

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