[5] While with the academy, Jhingan helped the side reach the South-East Asian finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup.

Playing alongside former India internationals, Bhaichung Bhutia and Renedy Singh, Jhingan helped United Sikkim earn promotion to the I-League after the 2012 season.

"[7] Jhingan made his senior professional debut in the I-League on 6 October 2012 in United Sikkim's first match of the season against Salgaocar.

Jhingan started the match and lasted the whole ninety minutes and scored the winning goal for United Sikkim as they won 3–2.

[9] Despite United Sikkim suffering from relegation at the end of the season and conceding a league high 63 goals, Jhingan was noticed to be a bright talent from the team.

[10] In February 2013 it was reported that Jhingan was receiving interest from Chinese League One clubs and that he would head to China for trials.

[5] After the 2012–13 season, Jhingan signed a contract with Indian Super League to eventually be part of the competition which was to start in 2014.

[12] Despite struggling to sign a contract with an I-League club before the ISL began, Jhingan did reject an offer from Dempo.

[16] On 22 July 2014, a day after his 21st birthday, Jhingan was selected in the second round of the 2014 ISL Inaugural Domestic Draft by the Kerala Blasters.

[19] From that point Jhingan remained a constant presence for the Kerala Blasters throughout the 2014 season, appearing 14 times for the side.

[20] On 20 December 2014, Jhingan started for the Kerala Blasters in the 2014 Indian Super League Final against Atlético de Kolkata.

Despite putting in a valiant performance, Jhingan could not prevent Atlético de Kolkata from taking the title as the Kerala Blasters fell 1–0.

Despite being partnered at times with former Spanish international Carlos Marchena and former Newcastle United defender Peter Ramage, Jhingan and the Blasters conceded a league worst 27 goals and finished last in the table.

[26] Because of his solid performance at the defence and due to immense pressure from fans, Jhingan was once again retained in the draft by the Kerala Blasters for the 2016 season.

[28] The next match saw Jhingan return to his preferred center back role after Hughes left for FIFA World Cup qualification.

[30] On 12 January 2017, another I-League club, Bengaluru, announced the signing of Jhingan on a season long loan deal from the Kerala Blasters.

[31] He made his debut for the club six days later in a league match against Mumbai as a 71st-minute substitute for Harmanjot Khabra as Bengaluru won 3–0.

[36] On 8 July 2017, it was announced that Jhingan has been retained by the Blasters for the 2017–18 season after he signed a long-term contract that made him the highest paid defender in the Indian Super League.

Jhingan's partnership with Tiri in the backlne helped ATK Mohun Bagan to keep 10 clean sheets throughout the season in 22 matches.

Despite having a five-year deal with ATK Mohun Bagan, Jhingan's contract had clauses which allowed him to move to a European club upon receiving an offer.

[48] On 18 August 2021, Croatian First Football League side Šibenik announced the signing of Jhingan on a one-year deal with an option to extend for another year, becoming the first Indian to play in Croatia.

[54] During the 2022 January transfer window, Jhingan returned to ATK Mohun Bagan after parting ways with Šibenik.

[61] Jhingan made his international debut at this level in India's opening match against the United Arab Emirates on 15 September 2014.

[62] After his performance during the 2014 ISL season, Jhingan made his senior international debut for India against Nepal in the country's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

[67] Jhingan was then handed the India national team captaincy by head coach Stephen Constantine before their friendly matches against Mauritius and St. Kitts and Nevis in the absence of regular captain Sunil Chhetri.

[68] Speaking after the match against Mauritius, in which India won 2–1, Constantine praised Jhingan, saying "Sandesh is a player who should be playing in a bigger league.

India was able to hold them for 90-minute.But an injury time penalty conceded by Pronay Halder costed them the game and they were eliminated from the tournament.

Bangladesh assistant coach Stuart Watkiss even said that the absence of Sandesh Jhingan for their Group E Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup was slightly advantageous for them.

[77][78] On 19 February 2022, Jhingan made headlines for making a 'sexist comment' after a match with ATK Mohun Bagan against his former club Kerala Blasters.

[82] Later on 21 April 2022, the Blasters brought their number 21 jersey out of retirement and gave it to Bijoy Varghese, while announcing his three year contract extension with the club.