The 2022-23 Indian Super League season starts on October 7. Over the years, young players have made their mark on the league and have made a huge difference to the success of their clubs. Keep an eye out for these five youngsters this season.
ISL 2022-23: King of East Bengal
Also Read: New East Bengal Players
Lalchungnunga, who once played for Sreenidi Deccan, will represent East Bengal this year. The 21-year-old was a standout defender in the I-League 2021-22; in 17 games, including 14 starts for Sreenidi, he recorded five assists and scored one goal.
In this year’s Durand Cup, he made a name for himself with the Red and Gold brigade, and will be an important part of East Bengal’s defensive line. Lalchungnunga is such a valuable asset because he can be a powerful backline presence and help build attacks from behind.
ISL 2022-23: Sivasakthi Narayanan (Bengaluru FC)
Also Read: Kerala Blasters FC New Players
Although Sivasakthi Narayanan has long had an impact on Indian football, it was his performance in the 2022 Durand Cup that catapulted him to fame. The 21-year-old scored five goals during the season, one of which was scored in the championship match against Mumbai City FC.
Sivasakthi’s youth football career began at the Raman Vijay football school. He joined Bengaluru FC’s B team after finishing the 2018-19 season as top scorer in the Elite League. He played with Bengaluru B in the Bangalore Super Division in the 2020-21 season and finished with 15 goals, including two hat-tricks, to capture the top scorer spot.
Kiyan Nassiri (ATK Mohun Bagan FC)
Also read: The new players of ATK Mohun Bagan
The son of football legend Jamshid Nassiri made headlines when he came off the bench to score a hat-trick against East Bengal in the Kolkata derby last year. In doing so, the 21-year-old managed to break the record for the youngest player in the league to accomplish the feat.
For the Mariners, Kiyan has largely played off the bench, though he has shown his ball-handling prowess. His speed makes him a difficult opponent for opposition defenses.
Kiyan was added to ATK Mohun Bagan’s 22-man roster for the AFC Cup ahead of his team’s interzonal semi-final match against Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf. He made his senior club debut in the same game.
He participated in the 2022-23 Durand Cup for the ATKMB team; they even managed to score against Rajasthan United in their first game but fell short 3-2. Given his impressive accomplishments and skillful ball handling, Nassiri will likely start games for the Mariners during the 2017 ISL season.
Ayush Adhikari (Kerala Blasters FC)
Despite being only 22 years old, Ayush Adhikari may finally get a chance to play regularly for Kerala Blasters during the 2022-23 ISL season.
Adhikari appeared for the Blasters 17 times. He has 50 blocks, 10 interceptions, four cleanups and six blocks in 17 games. While representing Delhi in the U-14 Nations, Adhikari made an impression that led to his selection for the “U Dream Football” program in Germany, where he spent nearly four years of his life.
