If the scalding early March heat is any indication, Indian football will have to brace for one of the hottest I-League in recent years.
Pity searing temperatures don't facilitate red-hot display in football, or for that matter, any sport. And if it is the artificial turf at Yuba Bharati
Krirangan you are talking about, then players might now have to devise ways of keeping their feet cool.
On Tuesday, Chirag United's strikers didn't set the turf on fire but the Pune FC were hopping anyway. "Our players' feet were literally burning," said Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira later.
But Shankar Oraon - who played his first competitive match since the Santosh Trophy semi-final against Goa last August - still made it a memorable match for him. Playing at an unfamiliar position as left-wide midfielder, Oraon slotted home Josimar Martins's through from left and help his team win 1-0.
Chirag United now have 23 points from 17 matches while Pune FC remained on 19.