Sportskeeda Indian Football Awards: Top 10 Indian defenders of 2016

#1 Arnab Mondal

Mondal makes up for his lack of height with his tenacity

The best Indian defender of 2016 is the veteran from Kolkata. He has been his usual self - unassuming, consistent and most importantly, fighting till the battle was lost.

But the best facet of his game is that he is level-headed and he doesn’t do anything rash. He captained the East Bengal side that now has an outside chance of qualifying for the group stage of AFC Cup.

He led the Atletico de Kolkata defence throughout the ISL campaign, whenever was fit. He started every game for the national team and it was a largely good year for the Indian defence. India beat Afghanistan, Laos in both legs and Puerto Rico, conceding only three goals in those games.

He has played with youngsters at the back and his experience, in many ways, has been more important for India than his actual ability on the football field.