Nandhakumar Sekar (born 20 December 1995) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Indian Super League club Odisha and the India national team.
Career Sekar made his professional debut in the I-League with Chennai City on 19 February 2017 against Shillong Lajong. He started the match and played 51 minutes as Chennai City lost 4–1. He scored his first professional goal for the club on 12 March 2017 against East Bengal. He scored the equalizing goal for Chennai City in the 57th minute which eventually led to the team winning 2–1.
Odisha On 17 August 2022, Sekar scored a stunning goal assisted by goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte in the season opener against NorthEast United in the Durand Cup, which ended in a thumping 6–0 win.
East Bengal On 10 June 2023, it was announced that Sekar joined East Bengal on a three-year contract.
International career He made his international debut for Indian U23 national team in a friendly against Singapore U23.
After his successful domestic spell with Odisha, Sekar was called up to senior national team in May 2023, for Hero Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championship. Sekar made his debut for the senior team against Vanuatu on 12 June 2023.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupAFCOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsChennai City2016–17 I-League6230——92 Odisha (loan)2017–18Indian Super League9110——101Odisha2018–1914231——1732019–2016000——1602020–2111000——1102021–2212100——12120610510—3111Odisha total82109600619716East Bengal2023–24Indian Super League 19 5 11 4 — 1 1 31 102024–25 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 1East Bengal total19512510113311Career total107172411207114029
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsIndia202330202430Total 60
Honours Hindustan Eagles Chennai Football League: 2014–15
Odisha Super Cup: 2023
East Bengal Indian Super League: 2025-26 Super Cup: 2024 Durand Cup runner-up: 2023
India SAFF Championship: 2023 Intercontinental Cup: 2023
Individual Most Valuable Player of Durand Cup: 2023
References