ISL 2023-24: Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru FC Live Updates

7:30 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru FC match in the Indian Super League (ISL 2023-24). The kick-off is just 30 minutes away! I am your host Atawaris Warsi and will keep you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

ISL 2023-24: Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru FC - Build-up

Indian Super League 2023-24 will start with an opening fixture between Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC. The excitement amongst Indian football fans has been building before the beginning of the latest season of the top-tier league competition of India. 

The opening fixture often sets the tone for the rest of the season and provides a window into what to expect from the teams that are involved. As a result, the upcoming fixture between Kerala Blasters and former ISL winners Bengaluru FC will be a highly-watched contest.

Kerala Blasters have never won the Indian Super League. Despite having one of the most passionate fanbases in the country, the outfit has been unable to deliver trophies for them to celebrate. Ivan Vukomanovic has strong support behind him but another season without a trophy will make the fans impatient. Therefore, starting the campaign with a win becomes important for the Yellow Army. 

Bengaluru FC had a brilliant 2022-23 campaign. The outfit won the Durand Cup and reached the final of the Indian Super League playoffs and the Super Cup. The expectations will be high to replicate the previous season’s performance. Qualifying for the playoffs will be the minimum expectation and winning the opening fixture is going to be a perfect start towards that goal. 

Sunil Chhetri and Rohit Danu will be unavailable for Bengaluru FC due to their involvement in the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Kerala Blasters will miss Rahul KP and Bryce Miranda, who are also representing the Indian national team in the Asian Games.