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The 2019-20 season of ISL has seen 118 Indian players take to the field so far with Mumbai City FC contributing the maximum number of players (14). Of the 67 goals scored so far, 15 of them have come from the Indian players.
However, there are still some players who are yet to make their mark owing to the cut-throat competitions provided by their colleagues. While the likes of Lalruatthara (Kerala Blasters), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC), and Amarjit Singh Kiyam (Jamshedpur FC) are recovering from injuries, others are yet to impress their bosses to make a start in this season of ISL.
Without any further ado, here are the top five Indian players who are yet to play an ISL 2019-20 match.
Also read: 5 ISL 2019-20 Players to watch out for
#5 Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem (ATK)
After impressing one and all with his long throws and quick reflexes in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Dheeraj Singh went on a training stint with Motherwell. Even though the deal failed to materialize, Kerala Blasters came calling and the youngster made 13 appearances for them and kept four clean sheets in the previous edition of ISL.
ATK wasted no time in acquiring his services and tied him down to a bumper five-year contract. However, he is playing second fiddle to Arindam Bhattacharja in ISL 2019-20.
After making his India U-23 debut in the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers in March, head coach Igor Stimac gave him his first senior national team call-up in World Cup Qualifiers fixtures against Oman and Afghanistan.
Arindam is doing great under the bar, having picked up 3 clean sheets in 5 matches. It remains to be seen if Dheeraj gets playing time in ISL this season.
#4 Gaurav Bora (Odisha FC)
Gaurav Bora became an overnight star when he scored a brace in the final week fixture of I-League 2018-19 to help his side Chennai City FC lift the trophy. Odisha FC took note of his talent and bought him in the transfer window.
The centre-back also played a pivotal role in the all-Indian defence line that defeated ISL clubs FC Pune City and Bengaluru FC in the Super Cup. However, he couldn't usurp Rana Gharami from his position in the starting XI. Gharami started the first four matches in ISL before Josep Gombau decided to field two foreigners in the centre-back position.
Diawandou Diagne and Carlos Delgado seem to be mainstays and with Mohammed Sajid Dhot also eyeing for that position, Gaurav Bora's playing time seems hard to come by.
#3 Aiban Dohling (FC Goa)
After spending two seasons with Shillong Lajong, Aiban Dohling found plenty of playing time last season in the I-League when the management decided to field an all-Indian side in the tournament. The 23-year-old made 19 appearances but couldn't stop his team from facing the brunt of relegation.
While most of his teammates are still playing in the Shillong Premier League, Aiban got a two-year offer from FC Goa and made the switch to ISL. However, like most of the teams, FC Goa too prefer to play with two foreign centre-backs. With Mourtada Fall and Carlos Pena sturdy as a rock in the back, Sergio Lobera prefers no change in personnel in the defence.
Aiban is yet to even find a place in the matchday squad as he has gone below the pecking order to Amey Ranawade and Chinglensana Singh.
#2 Deepak Tangri (Chennaiyin FC)
Deepak Tangri was one of the two goalscorers that helped India U-20 defeat Argentina U-20 at an invitational tournament in 2018. Chennaiyin loaned him back to Indian Arrows to continue his development and the youngster went on to make 29 appearances in the I-League over two seasons.
Deepak Tangri likes to play as a shield allowing other midfielders to surge forward. Chennaiyin FC already has the likes of Dhanpal Ganesh and Masih Saighani to don the role, resulting in the former Mohun Bagan Academy graduate sitting on the bench.
His batchmate, Rahim Ali, has made two appearances in the I-League so far with one of them even from the playing XI. It is only a matter of time before Tangri gets a taste of ISL football.
#1 Samuel Lalmuanpuia (Kerala Blasters)
Samuel Lalmuanpuia was one of the most high-profile I-League to ISL signings in the transfer window when Kerala Blasters announced his acquisition. The Emerging Player of I-League 2017-18 finally made the big money move but has to remain patient when it comes to making his debut.
The 21-year-old was a Shillong Lajong faithful, scoring 10 goals in 59 I-League apperances over a span of four seasons before making six AFC Cup appearances for Minerva Punjab whereby he scored a goal against Chennaiyin FC.
Kerala Blasters' head coach Eelco Schattorie has given chance to young players like Rahul KP and Jeakson Singh in this season of ISL and has heaped praises on Samuel. The attacking midfielder, however, faces stiff competition from Sahal Abdul Samad and Sergio Cidoncha for a spot in the starting line-up.
