When the season began, Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil faced a pressing issue in defense. The right-back position became a clear vulnerability for opponents to exploit. In a bold move, Jamil turned to young winger Nikhil Barla, tasking him with adapting to the right-back role. The decision has since proven successful, with Barla emerging as a key figure in Jamshedpur’s resurgence.

Hailing from Jharkhand, Barla has diligently embraced the challenge, showcasing exceptional versatility and confidence in silencing experienced wingers. From being a substitute earlier in the season to becoming a dependable starter, Barla has earned praise from teammates and fans alike for his impressive performances.

“I’m comfortable playing in both positions, but it depends on the situation and where the coach wants me to play. All I want is to play,” Barla said, reflecting on his transition.

Nikhil joined the Tata Football Academy in 2018, after getting selected through a trial conducted at Ranchi. During the initial years, he got the opportunity to play against the senior team for practice which helped him to develop as a player. Nikhil, a native of Khunti, made his debut for his senior team under Aidy Boothroyd in the 2022-23 season against Odisha FC in the last match of the season. In the following season, he made 19 appearances for the Red Miners spending over 950 minutes on the field.

The young defender recently squared off against Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri and the explosive Noah Sadaoui. For Barla, these experiences have been invaluable. “It was a good experience because both are top-level players. I was confident facing them because I know their playing style,” he shared.

Barla’s roots as a winger have brought attacking flair to his game as a right-back and his cross was instrumental in Murray’s goal in the famous comeback win against Bengaluru FC. However he remains grounded in his defensive duties and has already assisted “It’s not possible to attack all the time as a right-back because my first job is defending. But yeah, I love attacking whenever I get the chance,” he explained.

As Jamshedpur prepares for their next clash against Mumbai FC, Barla is focused on the task at hand. Aware of the competition’s tight points table, he remains resolute. “This match is also important because most of the teams are on almost the same points. We will go all out. I’m not thinking about the players that much because if I do my job well, everything will be perfect,” Barla said with confidence.