ISL has been the reason for the outbreak of the career of many young Indian footballers. Lots of interesting names comes up when someone talks about players who impressed the fans with their good footballing display. But not all of them have been able to represent India national football team in the Senior level. Some even disappeared from the Indian football Scenario after having represented in the junior national levels. Let’s look into those players who never quite keep up with the momentum they have gained in their initial ISL Seasons.
1. Subhas Singh
The centre forward player has been a part of Mumbai City FC squad in the inaugural season of Indian Super League. The player played consistently for the ISL-based side in the first two seasons. Because of his good performances he even earned some call up from India U19 and India U23 level. But the forward who also played for teams like Real Kashmir FC, NEROCA FC never have been able to make his senior national team debut.
2. Nadong Bhutia
The Sikkimese player was considered to be one of the high profile future prospects of India national football team when he first made his debut for Indian Super League Side in the inaugural season of Hero Indian Super League. But the forward who made his debut through United Sikkim Football Club didn’t show up in the Indian National Team after the inaugural first season. Nadong Bhutia struggled to find his place in the top tier of the country.
3.Baljit Sahni
The former East Bengal forward, who rose into fame because of his good performances for ATK in the inaugural season of Hero ISL, has represented India national football team way back in 2010. However, after the outbreak of ISL, he was expected to return to the national team and play some matched for his country, but Baljit Sahni not only disappeared from Indian Super League but also he didn’t turn up for any I-league side after his unsuccessful stint with FC Pune City in the 2017-18 season of Indian football.
4. Jewel Raja
Before the start of Hero Indian Super League, Jewel Raja was quite a regular player of India national football team. But after the start of the inaugural season of ISL, the midfielder never has been able to dig his place in the national camp. Jewel Raja played well for FC Goa in the inaugural season of Hero Indian Super League, and he was excellent for ATK as well in the following season. But after 2015-16 season of the Indian Super League, Jewel Raja didn’t make regular appearances in the Indian Super League and slowly and steadily his name disappeared from the Indian football scenario.
5. Israil Gurung
The Nepali winger was a regular starter for FC Pune City in the inaugural season of Hero Indian Super League. But after the first two seasons of Hero ISL, the winger was never seen in this top tier tournament. Although Israil kept playing for some I-league clubs but he was always out of the equation for India national football team. The player who started his career in SAI Academy was last seen in the colours of Churchill Brothers Football Club.