Jump to content

Rahul Bheke

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rahul Bheke
Personal information
Full name Rahul Shankar Bheke
Date of birth (1990-12-06) 6 December 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Mumbai, India
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Right-back, centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Bengaluru
Number 2
Youth career
Mahindra United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Air India 23 (0)
2013 Mumbai Tigers 0 (0)
2013–2015 Mumbai 20 (1)
2015–2017 East Bengal 25 (0)
2015 → Kerala Blasters (loan) 12 (0)
2016 → Pune City (loan) 10 (0)
2017–2021 Bengaluru 70 (5)
2021–2024 Mumbai City 58 (2)
2024– Bengaluru 1 (1)
International career‡
2019– India 33 (2)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  India
SAFF Championship
Winner 2021 Maldives
Winner 2023 India
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:43, 4 May 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:00, 30 October 2024 (UTC)

Rahul Shankar Bheke (Marathi: राहुल शंकर भेके; born 6 December 1990) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender for and captains the Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC and the India national team.[1]

Club career

[edit]

Early career and Air India

[edit]

Born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Bheke started to play football for his school teams before joining the under-19 squad of Mahindra United.[2] Bheke then joined his first professional club, Air India, and played for them from 2011 to 2013.[3] After Air India's relegation from the I-League, Bheke joined Mumbai Tigers. He played for them in small cup competitions before leaving the club.[4]

Mumbai

[edit]

In January 2014, Bheke returned to the I-League after he signed for Mumbai.[5] He made his debut for the club on 15 January against Mohun Bagan in the Federation Cup. He came on as a substitute for Pappachen Pradeep as Mumbai lost 1–0.[5] He went on to make eight appearances for the club that season and was signed a contract extension which will keep him till next season.[6]

Bheke scored his first professional goal on 7 April 2015 against Bengaluru at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. His 67th-minute goal put Mumbai in the lead but Robin Singh managed to equalize two minutes before stoppage time to end the game 1–1.[7]

East Bengal

[edit]

After two seasons with Mumbai, Bheke signed for fellow I-League side, East Bengal.[8] Bheke played his first debut match on 23 January 2016 against arch-rival Mohun Bagan which finished in a 1–1 draw.[9] He played his last match of the season on 10 April in a 3–1 defeat against Bengaluru FC.[10] Bheke left the club on loan for Kerala Blasters in the 2015 Indian Super League. After two loan stints, Bheke returned to East Bengal for the 2016–17 I-League season.[11] Bheke played his first match of the season on 7 January 2017 in a 1–1 draw against Aizawl FC.[12] Bheke played his last match with East Bengal against his former club Mumbai FC, which they came out winning on a big margin of 0–4.[13]

Kerala Blasters (loan)

[edit]

After a good performance for Mumbai during the 2014–15 I-League season, Bheke was one of the available players during the 2015 Indian Super League domestic draft.[14] Unfortunately, Bheke was not chosen in the draft.[15] However, in September 2015, it was revealed that Bheke had joined the Kerala Blasters for their pre-season camp and eventually he signed with the club on loan from East Bengal.[16][17] Bheke made his debut for the club during their opening fixture against NorthEast United on 6 October 2015. He started and played 90 minutes as Kerala Blasters won 3–1.[18] He played his last match on 18 October in a 0–1 defeat against Delhi Dynamos (present Odisha FC).[19]

Pune City (loan)

[edit]

Bheke was loaned to former Indian Super League side FC Pune City from East Bengal after his loan term with Kerala Blasters.[20] He played his first match for the club against ATK on 6 November 2016 which they rose to win 2–1.[21] Bheke lost his first match with Pune on 25 November against his former club Kerala Blasters, which they lost 2–1.[22] He played his last match against ATK in the return leg at road which ended in a 0–0 draw.[23]

Bengaluru

[edit]

Bheke was picked by Bengaluru in Round 4 in 2017–18 ISL Players Draft.[24] Bengaluru was one of the two new entries to Indian Super League.[25] Bheke played his first match with Bengaluru in his continental debut in the 2017 AFC Cup against April 25 SC on 23 August 2017, which ended 3–0 to Bengaluru.[26] Bheke played his first league match of the 2017–18 Indian Super League season on 19 November 2017 in their first ever match in ISL against Mumbai City FC, which ended 2–0 to Bengaluru.[27] Bengaluru had a perfect debut campaign, as they qualified for the finals of the 2017–18 Indian Super League season with Bheke on team after defeating his former club FC Pune City on an aggregate score of 3–1.[28] Bheke started in the final against Chennaiyin FC[29] but was defeated on a score of 2–3.[30] Bheke played his first match of the 2018 AFC Cup on 13 February 2018 against T.C. Sports Club, which turned out in a 2–3 victory for Bengaluru.[31] On 22 February 2018, Bengaluru extended his contract for three years which will keep him at the club till 2021.[32][33] Bheke played his first match 2018–19 Indian Super League season on 30 September against the defending champions Chennaiyin, which ended 1–0 to Bengaluru.[34] Bengaluru had a standout campaign, as they qualified for the finals yet again in that season against FC Goa.[35] The match went on deadlock for both sides but the victory was sealed for Bengaluru when Bheke scored the deciding goal in the 117th minute to win the first Indian Super League trophy for Bengaluru.[36] Bheke was named man of the match on the final eve for his solitary goal in the 117 minute.[37][38] Bheke played his first match of the 2019–20 Indian Super League season against NorthEast United FC on 21 October 2019, which ended in a 0–0 draw.[39] He scored his first goal of the season on 22 January 2020 in a 3–0 victory over Odisha.[40] Bengaluru qualified for the knockout stage for the third consecutive time the season with Bheke on side but was defeated by ATK on an aggregate score of 3–2.[41] Bheke started in his first match of the 2020 AFC Cup qualifying play-offs against Maziya on the second leg of the qualifying round, which Bengaluru won 3–2 but lost on penalties after the after aggregate score of 4–4 led to the shoot-out.[42] Bheke played his first match of the 2020–21 Indian Super League season against FC Goa on 22 November 2020 in a 2–2 draw.[43] He scored his first goal of the season against NorthEast United on 12 January 2021, which ended in a 1–1 draw due to the equalizer scored by Bheke.[44] After the 2020–21 ISL campaign, Bheke left Bengaluru after spending four seasons at the club.[45]

Mumbai City

[edit]

On 19 August 2021, Bheke joined Mumbai City on a two-year deal with an option to extend for a further season.[46]

"It's a surreal feeling, to have joined Mumbai City. This is my hometown club and of course, the defending champions. I'm ready to start this new journey with my new family and make memories with our fans."

— Bheke, after signing with Mumbai City.[47]

On 22 November, Bheke made his debut for the club in the Indian Super League against Goa, in a resounding 3–0 win.[48][49] He scored his first and the winning goal against Chennaiyin, on 15 December in a 1–0 win.[50][51] On 17 February, he scored his second goal of the season, against Jamshedpur in a 3–2 defeat.[52][53]

He was later included in the club's 2022 AFC Champions League squad.[54] On 11 April, he scored the winning header from a corner in the 75th minute, in a historic 2–1 win against Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, as Mumbai City became the first Indian club to win an AFC Champions League game. He in turn became the first Indian player to score in the competition.[55][56]

Benguluru FC

[edit]

On 7 July 2024, Bheke joined back his former club on a two-year deal.[57]

International career

[edit]

Bheke got his call-up for the senior national team under the head coach Igor Štimac after his excellent performance in the 2018–19 Indian Super League season along with five other rookies.[58] Bheke made his international debut against Curaçao in 2019 King's Cup on 5 June 2019 which turned out to be a 3–1 loss to India.[59] After the King's Cup, Bheke was called up for the Indian squad to take part in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.[60] He played his first of the qualifiers on 5 September 2019 against Oman, which India lost 1–2.[61] He also played in India's match against Qatar on 10 September, where India put on an excellent show, as they drew against the continental champions 0–0.[62] Bheke also appeared in the second qualifying match against Qatar on 3 June 2021, where he was booked twice, resulting in a red card in the early 17th minute of the game.[63] India ended up losing the match 0–1 at full-time.[64] He scored his first international goal against Bahrain on 23 March 2022 in their 2–1 defeat.

Personal life

[edit]

He married his longtime sweetheart Shraddha Waingankar in 2019.

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of matches played till 4 May 2024[65]
Club Season League Cup[a] AFC Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Air India 2012–13 I-League 23 0 0 0 – 23 0
Mumbai 2013–14 I-League 6 0 3 0 – 9 0
2014–15 14 1 4 0 – 18 1
Total 20 1 7 0 – 27 1
East Bengal 2015–16 I-League 10 0 2 0 – 12 0
2016–17 15 0 4 0 – 19 0
Total 25 0 6 0 – 31 0
Kerala Blasters (loan) 2015 Indian Super League 12 0 0 0 – 12 0
Pune City (loan) 2016 Indian Super League 10 0 0 0 – 10 0
Bengaluru 2017–18 Indian Super League 19 0 3 1 4[b] 1 26 2
2018–19 20 3 1 0 8[b] 3 29 6
2019–20 16 1 0 0 1[b] 0 17 1
2020–21 15 1 0 0 1[b] 2 16 3
Total 70 5 4 1 14 6 88 12
Mumbai City 2021–22 Indian Super League 18 2 0 0 6[c] 1 24 3
2022–23 17 0 7 0 – 24 0
2023–24 23 0 4 0 5[c] 0 32 0
Total 58 2 11 0 11 1 80 3
Bengaluru 2024–25 Indian Super League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 218 8 28 1 25 7 271 16
  1. ^ Includes Federation Cup, Super Cup, Durand Cup
  2. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in AFC Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League

International

[edit]
As of 30 October 2024[66]
Appearances and Goals by year
Year Apps Goals
2019 10 0
2021 8 0
2022 1 1
2023 5 0
2024 9 1
Total 33 2

International goals

[edit]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 23 March 2022 Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain  Bahrain 1–1 1–2 Friendly
2. 18 November 2024 G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad, India  Malaysia 1–1 1–1 Friendly

Honours

[edit]

East Bengal

Bengaluru

Mumbai City

India

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Senior Men". All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  2. ^ Shukla, Kaushal (1 December 2015). "From rejection to record-breaking, the story of Rahul Bheke, the most featured Indian player in ISL 2". SportsKeeda. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Rahul Bheke". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Air India beat Mumbai Tigers in tie-breaker to lift the 1st Kalina MLA Cup". Afternoon DC. 24 December 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Rahul Bheke pens contract extension at Mumbai FC". Goal.com. 11 September 2014. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  6. ^ "Rahul Bheke pens contract extension at Mumbai FC". IndiaFooty.com. 11 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Bengaluru v Mumbai Starting XIs, 07/04/15, I-League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  8. ^ Qadiri, Faizan (25 June 2015). "East Bengal sign Rahul Bheke and Bikash Jairu as Biswajit Bhattacharya begins new era". SportsKeed. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  9. ^ "Mohun Bagan v East Bengal Live Commentary & Result, 23/01/16, I-League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Bengaluru v East Bengal Starting XIs, 10/04/16, I-League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  11. ^ "East Bengal FC – Squad 2016/2017". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  12. ^ "East Bengal v Aizawl Starting XIs, 07/01/17, I-League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  13. ^ "I-League 2017: Mumbai FC 0–4 East Bengal: Yellow Brigade end dismal season with Red and Gold thrashing". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Hero ISL 2015 Player Auction and Draft List" (PDF). Indian Super League. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  15. ^ Shukla, Kaushal (1 December 2015). "From rejection to record-breaking, the story of Rahul Bheke, the most featured Indian player in ISL 2". SportsKeeda. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  16. ^ "Kerala Blasters Make Late Signing, Loan Rahul Bheke From East Bengal | The Fan Garage (TFG)". thefangarage.com. 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  17. ^ Mitra, Atanu. "East Bengal's Rahul Bheke joins Kerala Blasters' pre-season training". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  18. ^ "Kerala Blasters v NorthEast United Starting XIs, 06/10/15, Indian Super League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  19. ^ "Delhi beat Kerala 1–0 | Live Score Updates Kerala Blasters vs Delhi Dynamos, Indian Super League (ISL) 2015 Match 15". 18 October 2015. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  20. ^ "FC Pune City: FC Pune City sign up Rahul Bheke | Football News – Times of India". The Times of India. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Pune City v ATK Starting XIs, 06/11/16, Indian Super League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Kerala Blasters v Pune City Starting XIs, 25/11/16, Indian Super League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  23. ^ "ATK v Pune City Starting XIs, 02/12/16, Indian Super League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  24. ^ "ISL Player Draft 2017" (PDF). Indian Super League. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  25. ^ "Bengaluru FC: ISL expanded to 10 teams, Bengaluru FC one of them | Football News – Times of India". The Times of India. 12 June 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  26. ^ "Bengaluru v April 25 Starting XIs, 23/08/17, AFC Cup | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  27. ^ "ISL 2017: Bengaluru FC 2–0 Mumbai City FC – Blues down Islanders in comfortable debut win". www.goal.com. 19 November 2017. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  28. ^ "ISL: Sunil Chhetri hat-trick takes debutants Bengaluru FC to final". India Today. 12 March 2018. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  29. ^ "Bengaluru vs. Chennaiyin – 17 March 2018 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  30. ^ "Alves' headers and Augusto's strike give Chennaiyin their second title". Indian Super League. 17 June 2018. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  31. ^ "TC Sports Club v Bengaluru Match Report, 13/02/18, AFC Cup | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  32. ^ "Bengaluru FC extends 'standout performer' Rahul Bheke's contract by three years". Firstpost. 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  33. ^ "BFC extends Rahul Bheke's contract by three years". 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  34. ^ "Bengaluru v Chennaiyin Match Report, 30/09/18, Indian Super League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Bengaluru break NorthEast hearts to secure their spot in the final". Indian Super League. 11 March 2019. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  36. ^ "Bheke's late header earns Bengaluru the Hero ISL 2018–19 crown". Indian Super League. 17 March 2019. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  37. ^ Scroll Staff (17 March 2019). "ISL final, BFC v Goa as it happened: Rahul Bheke's extra time goal hands Bengaluru FC first title". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  38. ^ "ISL 2018–19 Final: Rahul Bheke – The goal will be a memorable moment for me | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  39. ^ "Bengaluru v NorthEast United Match Report, 21/10/19, Indian Super League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  40. ^ "Bengaluru v Odisha Match Report, 22/01/20, Indian Super League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  41. ^ "ISL 2019–20 ATK vs Bengaluru FC: The real Kolkata finally stand up to script sensational turnaround, book spot in final". Firstpost. 9 March 2020. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  42. ^ "Play-off – 2nd Leg: JSW Bengaluru FC 3–2 Maziya S&R (Agg 4–4, Maziya win 4–3 on penalties) | Football | News | AFC Cup 2020". the-AFC. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  43. ^ "Goa v Bengaluru Match Report, 22/11/20, Indian Super League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  44. ^ "NorthEast United v Bengaluru Live Commentary & Result, 12/01/21, Indian Super League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  45. ^ Sportstar, Team (31 May 2021). "ISL: Bengaluru FC announces Rahul Bheke departure". Sportstar. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  46. ^ "Mumbai City FC confirm signing of defender Rahul Bheke". KhelNow. 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  47. ^ "Mumbai City FC confirm arrival of defender Rahul Bheke". mumbaicityfc.com. 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  48. ^ "Igor Angulo nets brace as Mumbai City FC ease past FC Goa". KhelNow. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  49. ^ "Mumbai City 3 – 0 Goa". Soccerway. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  50. ^ "Rahul Bheke's late goal help Mumbai City edge Chennaiyin FC". KhelNow. 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  51. ^ "Mumbai City 1 – 0 Chennaiyin". Soccerway. 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  52. ^ "Greg Stewart late penalty takes Jamshedpur FC past Mumbai City". KhelNow. 17 February 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  53. ^ "Jamshedpur 3 – 2 Mumbai City". Soccerway. 17 February 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  54. ^ "Mumbai City FC announce squad for AFC Champions League 2022". KhelNow. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  55. ^ "Mumbai City edge Air Force Club, become first Indian club to win ACL game". KhelNow. 12 April 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  56. ^ "Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 1 – 2 Mumbai City". Soccerway. 11 April 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  57. ^ Sportstar, Team (7 July 2024). "ISL 2024-25: Rahul Bheke returns to Bengaluru FC, pens two-year deal with Blues". Sportstar. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  58. ^ Sportstar, Team (6 June 2019). "Debutants revel in King's Cup outing". Sportstar. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  59. ^ "Curaçao v India Match Report, 05/06/19, King's Cup | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  60. ^ "Stimac names 26-member squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan and Oman". All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  61. ^ "India vs Oman, FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifier: As it happened..." www.timesnownews.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  62. ^ Scroll Staff (10 September 2019). "World Cup qualifiers, Qatar vs India, as it happened: Blue Tigers hold Asian champions in Doha". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  63. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Highlights: 10-men India lose 1–0 to Qatar". The Indian Express. 4 June 2021. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  64. ^ "India vs Qatar Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifier Football Match: 10-man India Lose 1–0 to Qatar". www.news18.com. 4 June 2021. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  65. ^ Rahul Bheke at Soccerway
  66. ^ "Rahul Bheke". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rahul_Bheke&oldid=1258976028"