Top 5 Indian players with most appearances in ISL final's history

These players have mixed bag of results in the ISL finals.

One of the main aims of ISL when it started was to elevate the standard of Indian players and provide them with a platform and opportunity to compete at the highest level in high stakes matches. And in these 10 years, it is safe to say this league has been a roaring success in that regards. But despite them receiving so many opportunities, they have been so near yet so far and the Performances have been a mixed bag so far in the decade this leave has existed.

Let’s dive into the topsy turvy journey of these Indian players who have the most appearances in the ISL finals.

5. Vishal Kaith (3 appearances)

Vishal Kaith‘s first ISL final outing ended in a 1-3 defeat at the hands of ATK when he played for Chennaiyin FC in the 2019-20 season. Joining Mohun Bagan, the shot stopper played a pivotal role in their 2022-23 final triumph on penalties. However, his 2023-24 final outing saw him stare at the face of a huge defeat against Mumbai City by a 1-3 margin on 4 May.

4. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (3 appearances)

Another keeper on the list, Gurpreet made his debut in an ISL final in the 2017-18 season, suffering a narrow defeat to Chennaiyin FC with Bengaluru FC. The following season, the Blues emerged victorious against the same opponent. However, in his third ISL final in the 2022-23 season, Bengaluru FC ended up losing out to Mohun Bagan in penalties.

3. Manvir Singh (4 appearances)

Manvir Singh made his foray into the biggest stage in Indian Football with his debut in an ISL final during the 2018-19 season for FC Goa against Bengaluru FC, marking the start of his finals journey. His second appearance came in the 2020-21 season for Mohun Bagan against Mumbai City FC, which ended in a 1-2 loss. In the 2022-23 final, he played a crucial role in Mohun Bagan’s title win on penalties. However, in the 2023-24 season, he along with other mariners suffered a 1-3 defeat against Mumbai City, which was Manvir’s fourth final appearance.

2. Sandesh Jhingan (4 appearances)

Sandesh Jhingan‘s tryst with ISL finals began in the inaugural season (when he turned out for Kerala Blasters), which ended in a defeat to Atletico de Kolkata. In his second ISL final appearance in 2016, despite another loss against the same opponent, he showcased his signature fighter spirit and won hearts. Yet again, lady luck was not smiling on him as in the 2020-21 final when he donned Mohun Bagan’s jersey against Mumbai City. In 2022-23, he lost in the final to Mohun Bagan while playing for Bengaluru FC.

1. Pritam Kotal (4 appearances)

Pritam Kotal‘s ISL finals journey began in 2016, when he helped ATK in clinching victory against Kerala Blasters in a penalty shoot out. In the 2019-20 season, he again played a importanr role as ATK managed to one up  over Chennaiyin FC in the final. Despite his best efforts in the 2020-21 final against Mumbai City, they fell short by a 1-2 margin. However, in the 2022-23 final, his fourth, Mohun Bagan emerged victorious over Bengaluru FC, adding another  feather to his cap of achievement in Kotal’s career.

Cover Credits - ISL Official