The ISL has been the answer to all the prayers from Indian footballers who were craving for a bit of attention.The primary objective of the ISL was to provide a platform for Indian players to showcase their skills and to ensure that there is a steady flow of talent to the Indian football team.
When we look into the ISL, so far, it has been a success. Now a number of names are at the tip of a common man’s tongue; irrespective of the team they were rooting for. Let us take a look at 5 Indian players, whose career has been transformed by ISL.
#1 Rehenesh TP
Rehenesh TP has been undoubtedly one of the finds of the tournament. The 23-year-old Kerala-born goalkeeper has managed to keep out experienced foreign keepers out of the starting XI, thanks to his impressive string of performances under the bars of North East United FC. His performances against Delhi Dynamos and FC Pune City in the inaugural season were particularly eye-catching as he made a habit of pulling off great reflex saves.
He continued his good form in the second edition, though he had to fight for his place in the early stages of the tournament. Results were not going NorthEast United’s way but stability in the goalkeeping department saw a change in fortune on the pitch for them.
Brave during set pieces and good in the air, Rehenesh soon become a vital cog in the Highlanders’ lineup. If he continues his rich vein of form, ISL may well have unearthed a gem for Indian football.
#2 Anas Edathodika
The 29-year-old Delhi Dynamos defender made full use of the opportunity that came towards him. Impressed by his performance, Roberto Carlos, coach of Dynamos was quoted saying: “Anas is playing very well. He deserves an opportunity in the national squad”.
The defender who also hails from Kerala played an important role in helping the Dynamos to reach the knockout stages of the tournament last year.
Playing alongside veteran John Arne Riise, Anas formed a strong partnership with Riise at the back for the Dynamos. To add to his credit, Anas scored a bullet header goal against FC Pune City, showing his attacking skills to the footballing world. Whilst at 29, he might not have a lot of time to be called the breakthrough kid, Anas will be thanking the ISL officials for setting up this platform for him, where he was able to transform his career.
#3 Romeo Fernandes
The 24-year-old Goan born winger marked history when he became the first Indian player to play for a senior South American club. Romeo joined the Brazilian outfit Atletico Paranaense on 15 February 2015 on loan from his parent club FC Dempo. The Goan midfielder who plays for FC Goa in ISL was outstanding for the Goan club in both the editions of the ISL.
He bagged a total of three goals and two assists for the Goan outfit in the first edition of ISL and notched up two goals and four assists in the second. FC Goa coach Zico was highly impressed by the winger’s performance in the ISL and played a big part in his loan move to the Brazilian club. The expectations are very much higher on the talented winger, who was certainly one of the finds of the tournament.
#4 Jeje Lalpekhlua
Jeje made his debut back in 2011 for the men in blue and is considered as one of the blooming young talents in Indian football. Jeje, who plays for Chennaiyin FC had a decent start to his ISL career, scoring 4 times and claiming 1 assist in the first edition of the tournament. But the best of his performance came in the second edition, where he displayed his true class and helped Chennaiyin FC to win their maiden ISL trophy.
The man from Mizoram bagged 6 goals and had 4 assists to his name. He formed a strong partnership with fellow striker Stiven Mendoza and the duo became a nightmare for most of the opposition defenders. Unlike the first season, Jeje was seen more fit and muscular, which did play an important role in his successful campaign. After the ISL, Jeje continued his run of form, regularly finding a place in the score sheets for both his country and his club, Mohun Bagan.
#5 Sandesh Jhingan
If anyone will be giving thanks to Nita Ambani for setting up ISL in the first place, it will undoubtedly be Kerala Blasters defender Sandesh Jhingan. At the start of the ISL 2014 most of the footballing world was unfamiliar with the name Sandesh Jhingan, but as the tournament progressed, Jhingan could be seen transforming from a local Chandigarh lad to become one of the hot young prospects for Indian football.
Jhinghan played a crucial role in the Kerala Blasters glory run in the ISL 2014, only to be undone by Atletico de Kolkata in the final. His physical strength and ability to read the game made him a tough defender to beat. His impressive performance in the tournament earned him a call to the Indian squad and since then he has regularly donned the blue jersey.
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