Dhanachandra Singh played a key role five seasons ago when Mohun Bagan last won the I-League in 2014-2015. The men in green-and-maroon needed at least a point from their final match against Bengaluru FC on May 31, 2015, and were down by a goal till the 85th minute.

It was only in the dying minutes that Mohun Bagan equalised and claimed the title.

Five seasons on, Dhanachandra still remains a key player. He was there against Aizawl FC too at the Kalyani Stadium on Tuesday. The Bagan captain believes their champions’ tag this season came “rather smoothly” and they had to deal with less pressure this time.

“This season it was a smooth ride. We won under more pressure last time. We needed one point from the last match but we were down by a goal till the 85th minute. Then Bello Razaq scored the equaliser and we all were relieved,” Dhanachandra told The Telegraph on Wednesday.

Asked if this edition of the league was less competitive compared to 2014-2015, Dhanachandra said: “It was evenly competitive. Because we were consistent, it looked easy. We as a team worked very hard and that is the main reason behind our success,” he said.

“It is a new team, within a year it was not easy to get the result but we have done that. I would like to thank coach Kibu Vicuna, other members of the support staff, and of course our officials for the success,” he said.

“We didn’t win our first two matches but we played according to our style, didn’t panic and stuck to the basics. Once we started winning, we just tried to keep the momentum going. We were consistent till the match against Aizawl, but our work is not over yet. We still have to play four more matches in the league,” he said.

For Bagan’s left back, it is this year that he will cherish for the rest of his life. “We will receive the I-League trophy after our game against Real Kashmir FC, which is scheduled on April 4. As the captain, I will receive the trophy. It would be an experience of a lifetime and that makes it more special.”

It was not an easy job to stay fit for five years but Dhanachandra stuck to his task. Some are even saying that the defender is looking even fitter. Disciplined life and maintaining a strict diet schedule are the reasons behind his fitness.

Even after the win against Aizawl FC, the captain stayed composed.

Dhanachandra, who hails from Imphal, calls Calcutta his second home. “I like every corner of the city. But my favourite place is Eco Park.”

The defender has one regret. “I got married to Anjela Maibam on March 13 last year. I told her about the park but wasn’t able to spend time with her there because of my tight schedule. We will surely go there after the league gets over,” he said.