Durand Cup 2023: Why did Bengaluru FC’s Robin Yadav hold up jersey No. 35 after scoring against Gokulam Kerala?

Yadav dedicated his goal, scored directly from a free kick with the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar before rattling the back of the net, to his injured team Salam Johnson Singh.

Bengaluru FC’s Robin Yadav celebrates after scoring the goal against Gokulam Kerala FC in a Group C match of the Durand Cup at Kishore Bharat Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: DURAND CUP MEDIA TEAM

Robin Yadav gave Bengaluru FC the lead in the Durand Cup Group C match against Gokulam Kerala FC at Kishore Bharat Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday and celebrated by holding the No. 35 jersey.

Yadav dedicated his goal, scored directly from a free kick with the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar before rattling the back of the net, to his injured teammate Salam Johnson Singh.

Bengaluru FC post on X (formerly Twitter), “Lovely touch from Robin, who runs to the Blues’ dugout and picks up Salam Johnson’s shirt as a tribute, with the winger suffering an injury against the Blasters. We’re wishing the boy a speedy recovery!”

What a gesture from Robin Yadav to show up Salam Johnson's jersey after scoring goal ! 💙

Salam Johnson got injured last match and was ruled out of Durand Cup.

We wish for a speedy recovery of Salam Johnson ❤️.#BFCGKFC#WeAreBFC#BFCLive#DurandCup2023pic.twitter.com/kwnqdWxUOE

— TOTAL BFC (@Total_BFC) August 22, 2023

Salam Johnson Singh, the 21-year-old winger who wears No. 35 for the Blue, suffered a serious knee injury during the game against Kerala Blasters on Friday. His team was leading 2-1 when Salam collided with a Blasters defender and had to be taken off the field in a stretcher.

Salam was the I-League’s top Indian goal-scorer in the 2022-23 season. Bengaluru FC signed the youngster, I-League 2022-23’s emerging player of the season, from TRAU FC and he proved the decision right by scoring on his debut against Indian Air Force.