Five months after it was expected to start, the Indian Super League (ISL) has finally kicked off this past weekend in a shortened format. While the farcically long delay has caused immeasurable damage to the Indian football ecosystem, the circumstances present a unique opportunity. Clubs have reduced their expenditure significantly, and that has involved limiting the number of foreign players in the squad well below the permitted levels. This means that Indian players are likely to get more minutes than ever in recent times.
One hopes that a fair share of these minutes will go to young prospects who have been catching eyeballs in the recent past. The Reliance Football Development League (RFDL) has provided a platform for players and the performances of the age group sides under Bibiano Fernandes and Naushad Moosa have also been on an upward trend in the past year or so.
So, here are 10 players (in no particular order) that might just be the beneficiaries of this window of opportunity that has opened up for them. The criteria for consideration were ages 24 or below with fewer than five appearances in the ISL.
1. Omang Dodum – Punjab FC – ST – 18
A part of Punjab FC’s youth setup since the club’s inception, Omang Dodum had his breakthrough moment in India’s winning U-19 SAFF Cup campaign last year. The striker bagged three goals in four games including an impressive finish in the semifinal against Maldives. He has continued that form into this season, spearheading Punjab’s RFDL side which has won eight out of their nine games so far. Dodum has been the side’s top scorer with seven goals to his name already.
While the numbers are impressive, it is the quality of his finishing which has caught the eye. He is extremely sharp inside the box with his movement off the ball and is decisive with his touches. Dodum is quick and especially thrives in 1v1 situations and can be a massive threat off the bench in wide areas.
Punjab coach Panagiotis Dilberis has built a reputation for giving youngsters a chance, handing debuts to Pramveer, Singamayum Shami, Manglethang Kipgen and Vishal Yadav last season. One would not be surprised if Omang Dodum becomes the next name on this increasingly impressive list.
2. Danny Meitei – Northeast United FC – CM – 18
Perhaps the star of the aforementioned U-19 SAFF Cup side, Danny Meitei had an incredible tournament scoring five goals including a hat-trick in the opener against Sri Lanka. It was a coming of age moment for the highly rated midfielder who had already made his ISL debut in NEUFC’s last league game in 2024-25.
He has been in coach Juan Pedro Benali’s plans this season as well, getting a few minutes in the Durand Cup and the Super Cup. Capable of playing in a number 10 role and off the wing as well as his preferred central midfield position, Danny has built a reputation for having a wand of a left foot. His technical quality is very high while his decision making has matured over time.
With the departures of foreign attackers in recent weeks at the club, it seems likely that the youngster’s role will increase.
3. Prachit Gaonkar – FC Goa – CM – 19
Prachit Gaonkar became just the second player to have come through all age-group teams of an ISL club when he came on as a substitute for the senior team against Mohammedan SC last season. He has since gone on to start against NEUFC in the Super Cup and perhaps most impressively against Istiqlol in FC Goa’s AFC Cup campaign.
A technically gifted midfielder, he was also the captain of Goa’s RFDL side that finished third in the national championship last season. He has developed impressively under Manolo Marquez, adding more strength to his game along with the usual Goan flair.
Given that the club has no foreign midfielders in their squad, one can expect Prachit will get many more opportunities this season to show his quality.
4. Md Arbash – Bengaluru FC – CAM/RW – 17
A product of Manipur’s Classic Football Academy, Arbash is arguably the most exciting young player in Indian football right now. He won the best player award in last season’s RFDL as his side finished second in the national championship and followed it up with another best player award in the U-19 SAFF Cup.
His exploits earned him a move to Bengaluru FC where he has continued to grow in stature. While he perhaps has some physical development left to achieve, he more than makes up for it with the tactical nous and technical quality that he brings. Arbash is also somewhat of a set-piece specialist, having scored an Olimpico against Goa in the RFDL semifinal last year and an incredible free kick against Kerala Blasters in this year’s campaign.
Bengaluru have plenty of attacking options but Renedy Singh, who was a part of the Classic FA setup, might just give the hotshot a chance.
5. Sanatomba Singh – SC Delhi – LB/LW – 19
ISL’s newest side has made some impressive moves in the transfer market this year and amongst them is the signing of left-back Sanatomba Singh. Having come through the ranks at Reliance Foundation Young Champs, Tomba spent a year at FC Goa, making two appearances in ISL 2024-25.
The youngster has already made a mark at SC Delhi, playing nearly every minute of the three Super Cup group games earlier this season.
Tomba is expected to be an integral part of the Delhi squad this season and for good reason. His work-rate and game reading is very good and he has shown that he is more than a match for more experienced opponents with his speed and physicality. The attacking side of his game leaves a bit to be desired, but he is only going to get better with more minutes under his belt.
6. Priyansh Dubey – Mohun Bagan – GK -19
Another product of the Reliance Foundation Young Champs, Priyansh Dubey has been one of the most highly rated up and coming goalkeepers in Indian football for a few years now. He has been a part of several age group national teams and was the first choice at the 2024 U-20 SAFF Cup in Nepal.
He was signed by Mohun Bagan Super Giants at the beginning of the 2023-24 season and has since been their most impressive reserve team player. Priyansh formed the bedrock of their victorious RFDL campaign last season, winning the golden glove in the process.
He has continued to impress this season, making some remarkable saves in two recent derbies against rivals East Bengal. While MBSG have perhaps the best keeper in the league in Vishal Kaith, Priyansh is a more than capable back-up should he be needed.
7. Lawmsangzuala – Jamshedpur FC – CAM/ST – 17
Jamshedpur FC had arguably the most exciting and attacking team in the RFDL national championship last year and at the heart of that was Lawmsangzuala. Playing well above his age group, the Mizo striker won the golden boot award scoring 16 goals across the three rounds. He also bagged 10 goals in the U-17 Elite Youth League last season as JFC finished runners up.
Lawmsangzuala’s most striking attribute is his incredible ability to always find space. Along with his goals, he also likes to drop off and link play with midfield, showing an understanding of the game beyond his years.
JFC have a stacked squad however with a full attacking roster and opportunities maybe hard to come by for the youngster, but he is bound to impress if he does get some minutes.
8. Raj Basfore – Chennaiyin FC – RB/CB – 22
One of the more experienced names on this list, Raj Basfore spent three seasons at Mohun Bagan Super Giants before making the switch to Chennaiyin in the summer window. He was a part of MBSG’s RFDL winning squad last year and has substantial minutes in the I-League from his time at Indian Arrows prior to that.
A combative defender, Basfore has already made a space for himself at Chennaiyin, starting two out of the three games in the Super Cup in Goa. Head coach Clifford Miranda has a reputation for putting his faith in young players, and his guidance to a defender with a profile similar to himself in his playing days will be invaluable.
9. Haobam Tomba Singh – CM – Inter Kashi – 22
More than five years after making his ISL debut as a 16 year old for East Bengal, Tomba finds himself back in the top division having taken the more scenic route. Still just 22, he has a chequered past with injuries but his quality is undeniable. He was an integral part of Inter Kashi’s first season in the I-League playing all matches bar one.
Tomba struggled for minutes last year, but looked renewed in the Super Cup having perhaps found his best position as a number eight. He is set to be a consistent starter alongside Sergio Llamas in midfield having added a bit of steel to his attack minded game.
Tomba might just hold the key for Antonio Habas’ side as they aim to shake things up in the top flight.
10. Salahudheen Adnan K – Kerala Blasters – LW/RW – 24
Having spent a season out in Kolkata, Salahudheen finds himself back in Kerala, hoping to leave a more indelible mark this time. He broke through in the 2023-24 season when he led Muthoot FA to a third-place finish in RFDL and a semi-final spot in the Kerala Premier League. He also shone in the 2024-25 Super Cup for MBSG, providing an assist as the second string side knocked out KBFC.
An exciting winger who loves to take his man on, Salhudheen has enough technical ability to play off either wing. He has also shown that he often does provide an end product from wide areas, something that a lot of young players lack.
With the departure of Aimen to SC Delhi, there is a space in the Kerala squad for Salahaudheen to fill and he looks more than ready to take his chance.
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