Bipin Singh: From ATK's bench to Mumbai City's top-scorer

The winger is an integral part of the Islanders thanks to his goalscoring prowess.

Bipin Singh recently became Mumbai City's all-time leading goal-scorer. The Indian Super League (ISL) outfit boasts outstanding talent in the squad, both foreign and domestic. When it comes to players from India, they have one of the finest individuals on the roster. He has 16 goals for MCFC, leaving behind Pape Amodou Sougou who had 15 to his name. 

The 27-year-old has become an undroppable figure at Mumbai City despite the amazing talent in the squad. Des Buckingham’s faith and the winger’s zeal make for a dangerous recipe for the rest of the league. In the 2022-23 campaign, Singh has already scored two goals and registered two assists in the first six matches.

His rise is one that needs to be documented. Bipin Singh’s journey was not an overnight change in fortunes. It was much more than simply a stroke of luck. Here is a look at the player’s journey and how he continues to deliver on a consistent basis today:

Early Days

Bipin Singh made his professional debut with Shillong Lajong. He played 41 games for them and had a lot of potentials. ATK, before the merger with Mohun Bagan, was a strong team in the ISL, having won the league multiple times. They recruited Singh in the 2017-18 draft of the ISL. 

The step up from Shillong Lajong to ATK was challenging for Bipin Singh. Although he scored the first goal of the season for the Kolkata-based club, the playing opportunities were short and few. He had two goals and one assist in 628 minutes of game time. Spending a lot of the season on the bench was certainly a negative nonetheless. 

Joining Mumbai City

Next season, Bipin Singh signed for Mumbai City. However, the playing time was even lesser in the beginning. The winger only played 242 minutes. Despite the lack of opportunities, Singh showed patience and determination. It was in the 2019-20 season when the player truly made a mark. He played 15 matches and scored twice with one assist.

The ISL only saw a glimpse of the greatness that year and the real impact was to come in the 2020-21 campaign. In 22 matches, Bipin Singh scored six goals and provided four assists. He enjoyed a whopping 1751 minutes of football, becoming a regular in the starting line-up. One must not forget that it was he who scored the winning goal in the final of the ISL 2020-21 against ATK Mohun Bagan. He also scored the first hat-trick of the season. 

Reaching Greatness

From that season onwards, there was no stopping Bipin Singh. He followed it up by scoring six goals and providing three assists in 20 matches during the 2021-22 season. His performances also earned him a national call-up. 

It is worth noting that the managers had a massive role in helping Bipin Singh reach his potential. He had a breakthrough season under Sergio Lobera at MCFC. The tactician saw the promise in Singh’s game and gave him the game-time he needed to showcase his talent. 

Today, Des Buckingham does the same and utilizes Bipin Singh to the brim. Knowing that you have the manager’s trust plays a huge role in helping a player perform well. He is one of India’s most lethal wingers, showcases an incredible work rate and remains humble in the process.