Dubbed as the team to watch out for from the Kolkata Maidan at this season’s I-League, Chirag United seem to be keeping the promise so far. Trailing 3-1 in their match against Air India on Tuesday, Subrata Bhattacharya’s boys bounced back to snatch a 3-3 draw, finishing with seven points after a gripping, high-scoring encounter at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

Jayanta Sen put the hosts into the lead in the 11th minute, converting Joshimar Martins’ through pass. The Mumbai outfit equalised in the 25th minute as young and promising Dada Nabeel headed home a Soccor Velho cross. The goal had class written all over it.

The visitors went ahead in the 41st minute with Nigerian striker ND Opara scoring the first of his two goals of the match. Opara was unmarked inside the box and capitalised on a Ravinder Singh floater. He added to his tally in the 47th minute as the Chirag defence stood statuesque.

At 3-1, it seemed Chirag were down and out. Air India were controlling the midfield with Tapan Maity, Henry Gangte and Praneel Mendon working very hard.

Things changed after Chirag coach Subrata Bhattacharya made two substitutions. He brought on Gauranga Dutta and PC Lalawmpuia for Lal Kamal Bhowmick and Shylo Malswmtlunga respectively. Dutta and Bhowmick justified the faith their coach had in them.

Dutta reduced the margin in the 66th minute, pouncing on the opportunity that came after the Air India goalie collided with Chirag striker Edmilson Marques outside the box. Joshimar put Chirag back on level terms in the 75th minute as the ball came to him via Safar Sardar off a Dutta corner.