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The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season two saw the Indian players come to the party and become indispensable to their respective teams. This was the best thing to come out of ISL 2 and some of the Indian players earned big praise from their rather illustrious managers. In every team, there was more than one Indian player who was central to the team and their chances.With three Indians among the top ten goalscorers, it is clear that the Indian players have made the necessary step up in season two of the ISL. We take a look at the Indian XI from the ISL Season two, which takes shape in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
#1 Goalkeeper
Rehenesh TP
Rehenesh had yet another outstanding season in goal for NorthEast United and kept four clean sheets in the entire season. He made the most number of saves (47) in season two of the Indian Super League Season To and was a vital component of the NorthEast United set-up which came so close to making the semi-finals.
His performances in goal were one major factor behind his team’s late run to remain in contention for a top four spot. The man from Kerala established himself as the main goalkeeper for his team, and has starred in both the seasons for the team from Guwahati.
#2 Defence
Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Right-back – Chennaiyin FC)
The most consistent player at that position in the Indian Super League season two, Wadoo has cemented his place as one of the 4 best defenders in the team. He is part of the Chennaiyin FC backline which has kept seven clean sheets and conceded only 17 goals this season.
The Kashmiri defender has had a great season both going forward and in terms of keeping the opposition attackers quiet and deserves a place in the Indian XI of ISL 2.
Anas Edathodika (Centre-back – Delhi Dynamos)
The find of ISL season two, Anas Edathodika was a revelation at the heart of the Delhi Dynamos defence. He formed a great partnership with John Arne Riise, the former Liverpool player mentoring him very well throughout the season.
Strong in the air and solid in the tackle, he is a good all-round defender. Earning praise from the great Roberto Carlos for his displays, Anas has gone from strength to strength this campaign and is arguably the best Indian defender to come out of the second season of the ISL.
Arnab Mondal (Centre-back – Atletico de Kolkata)
After a patchy start to his season, Arnab Mondal grew into his role as a leader at the back and was part of Atletico de Kolkata’s charge to the semi-finals. Even in the semi-finals, Mondal was one of Atletico’s better players and dished out a solid performance in the second leg.
He was a good player in defence for them last season as well, as he put in good performances one after the other, helping his team to the title.
Dhanachandra Singh (Left-back – Chennaiyin FC)
Dhanaachandra Singh was in and out of the team in the earlier part of the season, but has now become a regular member of the Chennaiyin FC back four. Singh has also contributed greatly in attack and his long throw-ins have been an addition to his game.
He is one of the in-form players going into his match as the team from Chennai look to make the most of their chance of playing against FC Goa in an attempt to try and win the title.
#3 Midfield
Harmanjot Singh Khabra (Central defensive midfielder – Chennaiyin FC)
One of the most consistent Indian midfielders in the ISL, Khabra has always put in a shift in the Chennaiyin FC midfield and has been an untouchable for Marco Materazzi. Khabra’s versatility has also been an added bonus for his Italian manager, but his consistent midfield performances have been impressive for the team from Chennai.
Siam Hanghal (Central defensive midfielder – NorthEast United)
Siam Hanghal too has caught the eye of people with his performances playing in the NorthEast United midfield and has earned great praise from head coach Cesar Farias, who believes Hanghal is ready to play abroad.
The lanky midfielder’s energy in the middle of the park was vital for NorthEast United as they put in a much improved show this time around.
Mandar Rao Dessai (Right winger – FC Goa)
Mandar Rao Dessai has taken ISL season two by storm and has been one of FC Goa’s most creative players down the wings. The winger has shown a great turn of pace and has not been afraid to take on his marker.
He has also adjusted well to the wing-back role he was assigned by Zico on certain occasions. Dessai also has been a goal threat, scoring on three occasions for The Gaurs.
Sunil Chhetri (Central attacking midfielder – Mumbai City FC)
The highest Indian goalscorer in the ISL season two and the only Indian player in the top five goal scorers in the ISL, Sunil Chhetri’s debut season in the ISL was a hit.
Scoring seven goals in the campaign, Chhetri was Mumbai City’s main goal threat. However, he was played in too many different positions to have a sustained goalscoring run and the frequent international call-ups didn’t help either.
Arata Izumi (Left winger – Atletico de Kolkata)
The Japanese-born Indian midfielder had a successful first campaign and scored five times for Atletico de Kolkata. Though he isn’t naturally a winger, his ability to pass the ball and combine well with the forwards in the team makes him an ideal fit for this team.
Most of Izumi’s goals came at a crucial time for Atletico de Kolkata and the Pune FC midfielder slowly cemented his place in Antonio Habas’ starting line-up.
#4 Attack
Jeje Lalpekhlua (Striker – Chennaiyin FC)
Jeje Lalpheklua was dropped from the Chennaiyin side in the initial parts of the season, but came back strongly to score six goals for them so far in this campaign, including one in the semi-final 1st leg win over Atletico de Kolkata.
In the end, his work-rate, hold-up play and finishing have proved to be very good as the team from Chennai clinched a place in the final of the Indian Super League. His goals have been timely and his work-rate has helped free up players like John Mendoza and Bruno Pelissari to do their magic.
