The second season of the Indian Super League (ISL) is following in the footsteps of Season 1 that set the tone for the game's rising popularity in the country. But credit must also go to the Indian players who have embraced the big stage with stellar performances that had made them country's football stars.
While India captain Sunil Chhetri needs no introduction, there are others who have shone through in two years of ISL and continue to do so as Season 2 moves towards its climax that will culminate with the final on December 20.
As the tournament heads into the final four rounds before the playoffs, IBNLive takes a look at some of the Indian players who have impressed with their skills.
Sunil Chhetri: The national team's captain is the first Indian to score a hat-trick in the ISL. The 31-year-old enthralled the jam-packed DY Patil Stadium with his spectacular feat and powered Mumbai City FC to a 5-1 win against NorthEast United FC. He is so far the top Indian goal scorer, though had to take a break to be on national duty for the World Cup qualifiers.
Robin Singh: The Delhi Dynamos forward has been instrumental for the side's sound performance this season. Though he has scored only two goals so far, he is always a threat for the opposition. Robin, who has represented the national team at under-16, under-23 and senior level, has 2 goals and 15 shots on goal this season for Delhi Dynamos.
Anas Edathodika: The Delhi Dynamos defender guided his team to a resounding 3-1 win against FC Pune City. Impressed with his spectacular show, Delhi Dynamo’s marquee-player-cum-coach, the legendary Roberto Carlos, said Anas deserves to be in India''s national squad. "Anas is playing very well. He deserves an opportunity in the national squad," Carlos said. Hailing from Kerala, Anas’ interest in the sport took root when he was just 14, and he has never looked back since then, with praise from Carlo confirming him as India's next star.
Thoi Singh: A skilful ball-winner, Singh has been instrumental in Chennaiyin FC’s comeback in the second season of the ISL. His playmaking skills were seen in Chennaiyin FC’s 4-1 win over Kerala Blasters, where Stiven Mendoza scored his second hat-trick of the season. The defender was bought by Chennaiyin FC for Rs 86 lakh during the 2015 auctions. Singh has also represented India at the under-20 level.
Mohammad Rafi: After winning the inaugural season of the Indian League with Atletico de Kolkata, striker Rafi has performed magnificently with his new team - Kerala Blasters FC, though it doesn't reflect in the team's standing on the leaderboard so far. With four goals, two assists and eight shots on goal, Rafi has been one of the top performers for the Sachin Tendulkar-owned team.
Arata Izumi: Born in Japan, Izumi chose to play for East Bengal in 2006 before moving to Mahindra United in 2007. Substituted in the match against Kerala Blasters, the Atletico de Kolkata midfielder rose to the occasion in style. He struck two late goals to lead Atletico de Kolkata to a 3-2 victory in an exciting encounter. The first foreign-born to ever play for India, Izumi, made his India debut in 2013. He was also a member of the national team for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup and the 2013 SAFF Championship. He was snapped by Atletico de Kolkata team for a sum of Rs 68 lakhs in the ISL 2015 auction. He also has an Indian name - Neelkanth Khambholja.
Thongkhosiem Haokip: He started his career with the Pune FC youth academy and became their first player to net a hat-trick in an under-20 match. The 39th match of the ISL 2015 between FC Goa and Mumbai City FC witnessed similar performance from the striker. Haokip scored a hat-trick to help FC Goa crush a hapless Mumbai City FC 7-0. Haokip and his team-mate MacPherlin Dudu scored a hat-trick each to help the side enter the record books as they registered the biggest win in an ISL match.
TP Rehenesh: A talented goalkeeper from Kerala, Rehenesh, who was unknown to everyone in the inaugural season, has stunned everyone with his amazing goalkeeping tactics. The 22-year-old NorthEast United FC goalkeeper has emerged as one of the best in the season. As far as the performances of the goalkeepers are concerned, Rehenesh sits atop with four clean sheets and 38 saves.
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