From high-flying Rehenesh to rock-solid Jhingan: India’s best eleven in ISL 2014

By Sreya Mazumder The Indian Super League has fulfilled its purpose of providing Indian footballers with an able platform to showcase their talent and thus put India on the global map. Amidst the Europeans, Brazilians and Africans, a host of Indian players impressed the pundits and the fans alike with their exhibition of grit, talent and technique. Let us take a look at the Indian Team of the season. [caption id=“attachment_2001837” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Rehenesh was the standout performer for NorthEast United, saving 40 of the 51 shots he faced. Sportzpics[/caption] Rehenesh TP of North-East United FC has been the best Indian goalkeeper by miles. He was the standout performer for the wooden spoon winners, saving 40 of the 51 shots he faced. Rehenesh is undoubtedly the ultimate success story of Indian Super League’s motto to promote Indian football as he kept out the former Greek international, Alexandros Tzorvas out of the eleven. Rickie Herbert, his manager only had excellent words to say about the 21-year-old and it is expected that Rehenesh will soon stake a claim to the goalkeeping duties for India. In defence, Sandesh Jhingan has been a mainstay for India in recent past. The theme continued in the Indian Super League as he made the most number of tackles (42) for the Kerala Blasters FC. Jhingan did not just provide a solidarity to the backline, but was also instrumental in starting the attack from the back for Trevor Morgan’s side. His driving forward into the midfield and cross field lobs were important to Kerala’s creation of chances. Arnab Mondal formed one half of the best centre-back pairing in the league, alongside Josemi. Mondal’s reading of the game and ability to intercept passes was showcased time and again, as Atletico kept out even the best of forwards from its goalmouth. The fact that Kolkata became the ‘First Champions’ in spite of winning just 2 of their last thirteen games (including the knock-outs) is a testimony to how good Arnab has been for his club. Debrabata Roy and Narayan Das were the best attacking fullbacks of the league, plying their trade for FC Goa. The youngsters flourished under Zico making 2.81 tackles every 90 minutes as a system together. They also put in a combined total of 54 crosses and their overlapping runs provided Goa’s midfield extra attacking outlets to work with. In the midfield, Denson Devadas (Chennaiyin FC), Mehtab Hossain (Kerala Blasters FC) and Lenny Rodrigues (FC Pune City) were some of the better Indian central midfielders. Devadas topped the tackles chart among all Indians with 53 tackles at a rate of 3.89 tackles per 90 minutes. He formed an able screen in front of the aging Chennaiyin FC backline, allowing his teammates to move forward and contribute in attack. Mehtab Hossain played less than 800 minutes for his side, but his man-to-man marking of Elano in the first leg of the semi-finals between Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC was the perfect example of what the veteran anchor man could do, when in form. Although his duty comprised of stopping the opposition attack, he formed an important link between his defenders and the likes of Hume & Chopra. Lenny Rodrigues counts among one of India’s most zestful and dynamic central midfielders. Blessed with an exceptional passing range and a zeal to start attack, he is equally speedy and is an excellent reader of the game. A triumvirate of Devadas, Mehtab and Lenny is as good as they come to establish dominance in the middle of the park. Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Desai, the young wingmen of FC Goa, tantalized the club’s supporters with their energetic brand of football, direct and fast. Dribbling past the opposition fullbacks and setting up Goa’s forwards, both had a cumulative 65 crosses next to their names. Equally adept at stretching play and tracking back, Romeo and Desai registered a total of 36 shots, 64% of which were on target. If possession-based fluent style of football has to be a part of India’s way forward, these two wingers from FC Goa will play a significant role in it. Jeje Lalpekhlua, the Indian with the most number of goals (4) in the Indian Super League, is the Indian forward of the season (notably, in the absence of Sunil Chettri). The 22-year-old played 895 minutes for Chennaiyin FC and scored the crucial third goal to take the first semi-finals into extra time. With already 22 Indian caps, Jeje’s runs behind the opposition defence were a constant form of attacking threat for the Tamil Nadu-based club. He placed 14 of his 22 shots on target, but would look to improve his finishing in the coming seasons. The Substitute Bench Sandip Nandy has a staggering 87% saves and was almost unbreachable for Kerala Blasters FC. Anwar Ali was one of Delhi’s standout performers in the heart of the defense and Robin Gurung was equally adept as a left back for the North-East United FC. HarmanjotKhabra of Chennaiyin FC and Bikramjeet Singh of FC Goa aptly complement the midfield trio of Mehtab-Devadas-Lenny and put in excellent shifts for their clubs. Baljit Sahni (Atletico De Kolkata) who boasts of a massive 70% shots-on-target and the young LalrindikaRalte (Mumbai City FC) who has made a name for himself due to his devastating left foot provide pace and trickery coming on late as a substitute and round up the bench for the Indian Team of the inaugural Indian Super League season.