Sahal, Thapa, other Gen Nxt stars stake claim in Indian Football's Team of the Year 2023

It was an eventful year in Indian football which saw plenty of impressive individual performances.

The year 2023 will go down as a memorable one in the history of Indian football. Indian footballers truly came forward to show their quality at both the club and international level. The difference in the impact between Indian and foreign footballers seemed to get lesser and lesser in the past year in domestic leagues and cup competitions respectively.

Before the year 2024 arrives, one must remember the players who delivered pivotal performances for club and country in 2023. The following individuals, who found their place in Khel Now’s Best XI for the year 2023, were an elite group of players in a league of their own. 

The following lineup is an ambitious attempt at establishing the Indian football best XI of 2023 which comprises sensational team players, individual powerhouses, consistent performers and difference-makers. Here is the Best XI:

Goalkeeper – Vishal Kaith

Vishal Kaith gets the spot in the best XI of 2023 thanks to his brilliant performance in the 2022-23 season of the Indian Super League.

The custodian made five more saves than the second-best mark to finish the season, with 12 clean-sheets and won the ISL title with Mohun Bagan SG. 

Right-Back – Nikhil Poojary

Nikhil Poojary was one of the most consistent Indian footballers in 2023. He played sensationally for Hyderabad FC in the 2022-23 ISL, guiding them to the playoffs.

On the international stage, he won the 2023 Intercontinental Cup and the 2023 SAFF Championships with the Indian men’s team.

Centre-Back – Sandesh Jhingan

Sandesh Jhingan is a mainstay in the Indian men’s team and featured for the country in tournaments like the Intercontinental Cup, SAFF Championships, Tri-Nation series, King’s Cup and so on. He also helped Bengaluru FC reach the final of the ISL playoffs and the Super Cup.

Centre-Back – Pritam Kotal

Pritam Kotal captained Mohun Bagan SG to their maiden ISL title in 2023. He was also one of the regulars in the Indian men’s team that won several accolades in 2023. The experienced defender deserves a spot for his leadership and consistency in the past year.

Left-Back – Akash Mishra

Akash Mishra broke through thanks to his incredible performances for Hyderabad FC, helping them reach the 2022-23 ISL playoffs. Then, Mumbai City FC won the battle for his signature in the transfer window against other major ISL clubs, suggesting his quality.

He is one of the best left-backs in the country today thanks to his work ethic, quality in the final third and more.  

Central Midfielder – Anirudh Thapa

Anirudh Thapa was an integral part of the Indian men’s national team that won the Tri-Nation series and the Intercontinental Cup in 2023.

The exciting midfielder also won the Durand Cup with Mohun Bagan SG which paid a transfer fee of crores to secure him from Chennaiyin FC. 

Central Midfielder – Samuel Kynshi

The I-League sees Indian players perform well every year who often go under the radar. However, Samuel Kynshi attracted a lot of eyes thanks to his brilliant performance in the 2022-23 I-League where he managed six goals for Real Kashmir to finish as joint-top Indian goalscorer. He also earned the opportunity to play for India at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Central Attacking Midfieler – Sahal Abdul Samad

Sahal Abdul Samad had a brilliant year in 2023. He won three major trophies with India (Tri-Nation Series, the Intercontinental Cup, and the SAFF Championships) and the Durand Cup with Mohun Bagan SG. His performances in the 2023-24 season of the ISL have been superb where he has been leading the assist charts.

Right Winger – Lallianzuala Chhangte

Lallianzuala Chhangte had one of his best years in Indian football for both club and country. For India, he won the 2023 Tri-Nation Series, the Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championships.

Furthermore, he won the ISL Hero of the League award at the end of the 2022-23 season and the 2022-23 AIFF Men’s Player of the Year Award. 

Left Winger – Naorem Mahesh Singh

Naorem Mahesh Singh quietly established himself as one of the most lethal attackers in Indian football in the past year. The winger scored and created buckets of goals for East Bengal in the ISL and made his senior Indian debut as well.

He famously scored against Iraq in the King’s Cup and helped the country win the Tri-Nation Series, the Intercontinental Cup, and the SAFF Championships.

Striker – Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri is the most obvious choice in the Indian football best XI. The captain, leader and legend of Indian football did not slow down in 2023 and took his game even further as if that was humanly possible to begin with.

He scored crucial goals for India and helped it win the Tri-Nation Series, the Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championships in 2023. The 38-year-old had a busy year for club and country, playing in the Asian Games in Hangzhou in addition to helping Bengaluru FC reach the final of the Super Cup and the ISL Playoffs. 

In October 2023, he also became the only player in the Indian Super League to score 50 goals for a single club while featuring for the Blues. 

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