Watch: Jamshedpur FC players plead to owners Tata to rethink ISL exit in viral clip
Jamshedpur FC players made a plea to the team’s owners, Tata group, to reconsider the decision to pull out of the upcoming season of the Indian Super League. Jamshedpur FC pulled out of ISL 2026-27, ending nine-year top-flight run for the club.
The decision left the players confused and shocked as they’re currently competing in the ongoing Durand Cup. The video from the players was posted by Pratik Chaudhari on his X account. The defender said that the decision came as a shock to everyone within the squad.
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Pratik said that the players stuck with the team as they had trust in Tata group. The defender also pointed out to the success the team achieved in the ISL over the last decade and how the team has been a launch pad for the young players coming in through the academy.
“It’s been a shock for us since yesterday when we heard the news and when we were told that the club is going to shut operations and they won’t continue after the Durand Cup. So we were confused, obviously we were angry, we were worried about the future, we still are. It was very unexpected because it is Tata’s (team), because we have always trusted the name, trusted the brand because we as individuals, as players, everyone are professional and everyone had offers from many different clubs. But everyone here chose Tata because it’s a brand. There is a trust thing that comes in when you hear Tata.”
“So this is the thought, we people joined this team and we have been associated with this team since last four to five years, and we have tried our best to do well and in this last decade, I think as a club we have achieved a fair bit of success. We people were Shield champions and since last two years we have been fighting for the top.”
“And during this, if we speak about development, there are players who have been coming from the academy, who stepped up, who came to the senior team, who played and who have gone on to play for the national team. For example, we got Nikhil, we had Vishal who played for the Indian Under-23, Sennan, who is playing for the national team also. All in all we have been progressing pretty well,” said Pratik.
The defender went on to say that Jamshedpur exiting the ISL will be a big loss for India in itself especially when the push is to make a World Cup appearance in the near future.
Pratik pleased with the higher management of the Tata group to reconsider the call.
“But when we saw that Tata has taken such a decision, so obviously it was a very big shock for all of us. So we would like to say this, uh, on behalf of all the players, please do rethink about this because. If this happens, then this is not just a loss for Indian football. This is not just a loss for Indian sport. This is a loss for the whole of India.”
“Because when the world is thinking about playing the World Cup, when we talk about playing the World Cup and when such a big institution of ours, which has always strongly backed us, all of a sudden takes such a step, such a decision, because of which the entire Indian sports fraternity, Indian football fraternity is shocked, this is a very serious matter.”
“So on behalf of all the players, we would just like to appeal to the higher management of the Tata Group. Please do rethink about this, reconsider the situation andn please don’t let this be the final whistle for Jamshedpur,” said Pratik.
Senior player Pranoy Halder requested the head of department of Tata group to continue the legacy of the team.
“As a senior player with folded hands, I request the head of the department of the Tata Group. This legacy that has come from the Tata Football Academy, this youth platform here in Jamshedpur is a good opportunity, a big opportunity, to compete in the Indian top league.”
“So please continue this legacy. This is my request, from my side, from my end, to the head of the department of Tata Steel and the Tata Group. Please continue this,” said Halder.
WHY DID JAMSHEDPUR PULL OUT?
Jamshedpur FC’s withdrawal came after the club failed to pay the mandatory participation fee for the new ISL commercial framework, despite being granted an extension by the AIFF. The non-payment effectively ruled them out of the 2026-27 season.
While the club’s statement did not directly refer to the unpaid fee, it pointed to concerns over the revised participation structure behind its decision. Their exit comes at a difficult time for Indian football, with the ISL already facing wider administrative and governance uncertainty.
Founded in 2017 after Tata Steel secured an expansion slot, Jamshedpur quickly built a reputation as one of the ISL’s better-run clubs. Their high point came in 2021-22, when Owen Coyle led them to the League Winners’ Shield.
The club also boasts one of Indian football’s notable privately owned sporting facilities at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, which serves as its home and training base.
Despite stepping away from the ISL, Jamshedpur FC said it will continue its involvement in Indian football through its youth and grassroots programmes.
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