The Indian Super League has served as a wonderful platform for many Indian players, both budding and established. If it was Mohammad Rafique who helped Atletico de Kolkata win the trophy in the inaugural season of the league by scoring a wonderful goal in the final, it was Jeje Lalpekhlua who stole the show in the second season as he guided his Chennaiyin team to the coveted trophy.
This year has been no different either, with plenty of local footballers stepping up and impressing both fans and pundits alike. With the I-League around the corner, these players have made positive impressions on the clubs as well, who will surely be either chasing for their signatures or renewing their contracts now.
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Here is the list of Indian players who have made headlines in the league this season for all the right reasons:
#1 Atletico de Kolkata – Debjit Majumdar
It is not very often that an Indian player gets noticed by two World Cuppers, but that is exactly the feat that Debjit Majumdar has achieved this season. His form under the bars for Kolkata has been nothing short of sensational. In fact, his performances have been so good that both Florent Malouda and Thierry Henry have praised the Mohun Bagan keeper for his calmness and his shot stopping abilities.
Having featured in 13 matches so far, he has kept 2 clean sheets and made a total of 26 saves. If ATK do make it all the way, he must be at his very best in the knockouts as well.
#2 Kerala Blasters- Mehtab Hossein
The tough-as-nails defensive midfielder has been a star in the centre of the park for Kerala Blasters this season. At 35 years of age, it seems he has rediscovered his magic touch once again. Despite being one of the older players in the league, he has orchestrated much of Kerala’s forward play this season and has helped his team get back the ball with his typical no-nonsense tackling.
His stats are impressive for someone his age: he has made 30 tackles, won 5 aerial duels and made 15 interceptions, which is the highest for any player from his squad. With Kerala in pole position to enter the knock offs, he will hope to replicate his form when the stakes are high.
Honourable mention: CK Vineeth
With 5 goals and 1 assist in 6 matches, including a stunning brace against Chennaiyin FC a few weeks back, CK Vineeth has been the man in form for Kerala upfront. He has been unstoppable ever since he returned from the AFC Cup, and with 8 shots on target, he also has one of the best shot-to-goal-conversion ratio in the league. If he was there from the start, Kerala would probably have made it through to the semi-finals by now.
#3 Mumbai City FC – Sena Ralte
Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, or Sena Ralte as he is popularly called, has been one of the breakout superstars from the ISL this season. His tough and relentless performances for Chennaiyin in Season 2 was what attracted Mumbai City to buy him this year, and he has continued to develop his attributes as a left back for the Westerners.
He has committed to 28 tackles this season, won 8 aerial duels and made 28 interceptions in 13 appearances so far. The Mumbai defence has kept 7 clean sheets in the league so far, and Ralte’s defensive prowess has played a big hand in those.
#4 FC Pune City – Narayan Das
Indian defenders have made a special mark in the ISL this year, and Narayan Das falls under that category. The left back, who has previously plied his trade for Pailan Arrows and East Bengal, he came with a lot of reputation and has justified it. He has been impeccable in his defensive duties and has also given a fine option while his team was on the offence. He will be disappointed that his team did not make the cut for the semis, but his performances have surely been noted by scouts and coaches across the nation.
The 26-year-old has made 21 tackles and an equal number of interceptions in the league and won 3 aerial duels. He also has an assist to his name along with having 3 shots on target, which sufficiently highlights his attacking abilities.
#5 Chennaiyin FC – Jerry Lalrinzuala
Undoubtedly the most talked-about player from the Indian roster this season, Jerry Lalrinzuala has been phenomenal in terms of the consistency. The 18-year-old, who has featured for only the first time in the ISL this year, has already got 2 assists and is the youngest scorer in the league this term. His positional sense is acute, and he has put in superb stints as a centre back. He suits the role of a ball-playing defender perfectly and will be a real asset for the Indian national team in the years to come.
With 29 tackles, 6 aerial duels and 16 interceptions, Jerry is statistically the best defender in the Super Machans squad. It is a shame that his team could not make it through to the knockouts, but one hopes that the AIFF Elite Academy prospect will continue impressing one and all in the remainder of the domestic season.
#6 Delhi Dynamos – Kean Lewis
It is a known fact that Indian forwards don’t excel in the ISL as much as foreigners do, but players like Kean Lewis have proven an exception to that. He has been the “fox in the box” for Delhi this year, scoring 4 goals and setting up 2 more in just 12 appearances. The Mohun Bagan player has also showed a penchant for picking the right passes, which is why he has completed 267 out of 418 passes.
At just 23 years of age, Lewis is already shaping up to be a brilliant prospect in the years to come, and the ISL has also portrayed his unquestionable talent. Steven Constantine will be well advised to keep his tabs on him.
#7 FC Goa – Robin Singh
This has been a season to forget for FC Goa, as they have finished at the bottom of the league accumulating just 14 points from 14 games. While almost every player has underperformed, Robin Singh has been an exception. His willingness to work hard off the ball and drive at defenders despite not getting enough service has been commendable, which makes him one of the better players from Zico’s team.
With just 1 goal and 1 assist in 10 games, Robin’s stats may not read the best but his dedication and work ethic has been commendable. One hopes that the former Bengaluru and East Bengal striker can translate his efforts into goals in the upcoming I-League now.
#8 NorthEast United – Rowlin Borges
Easily one of the best defensive midfielders in the league this season, Rowllin Borges has had a meteoric rise to the top. His smart game reading skills, as well as some of his combinational plays with the mercurial Katsumi Yusa has led Kolkata giants East Bengal to sign him for the forthcoming I-League season.
The 24-year-old is a bundle of energy in the middle of the park and has registered 24 tackles and 30 interceptions so far. With 14 successful air duels won, he has been an epitome of efficiency in the North-East midfield. With his best years ahead of him, one hopes Borges goes on to establish himself as the midfield linchpin the Indian team direly needs.
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