Durand Cup 2025: Three Mohun Bagan players to watch out for

Mohun Bagan will kick off their Durand Cup 2025 campaign on July 31st.

Mohun Bagan will be aiming to begin their 2025-26 season on a positive note as they aim to compete strongly in the 2025 Durand Cup.

The Mariners are likely to give more opportunities to their younger players as well as some reserve players, for the majority of games, with the foreigners likely to be used if they make it to the latter stages.

With that being said, the Durand Cup competition can be the perfect platform for some young Indian players who are looking to impress Jose Molina.

If they’re able to produce some standout performances without the foreigners or top stars there to aid them, these younger players could strengthen their chances of obtaining a major role in the team for the upcoming campaign. Here we look at the three Mohun Bagan players to look out for at the Durand Cup 2025.

Also Read: Durand Cup 2025 Group B Preview: Kolkata Derby headlines group stage

3. Kiyan Nassiri

Kiyan Nassiri rejoined Mohun Bagan in the 2025 summer window after a relatively frustrating stint at Chennaiyin FC in the 2024-25 season.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder was not really able to make much of an impact with the multi-time ISL champions, but has returned to Mohun Bagan to get back to his best. Nassiri will be given his opportunity to prove his quality at the 2025 Durand Cup, but he needs to be at his decisive best to stand out for the Mariners.

The 24-year-old is renowned for his ability to get to the end of goalscoring situations or smartly link up with his teammates in the final third, but he needs to rediscover that ruthlessness in his game.

If Nassiri is able to glisten and bring that edge to his final product in creating big chances or finishing off opportunities to score multiple goals, then he can significantly strengthen his position in the Mohun Bagan squad.

2. Suhail Bhat

The 2024 Durand Cup was actually the tournament where Suhail Bhat really broke through and started proving his quality as a potent striker for Mohun Bagan. The 20-year-old is primed to get more regular playing time with the Mariners in the 2025-26 season, but the Durand Cup will serve as his opportunity to prove his quality as a starting striker.

Bhat should get plenty of playing time at the Durand Cup after he scored two goals in three games in the 2024 edition.

Bhat will be eager to prove just how lethal he can be in the final third by being a vibrant and volatile threat in the opposition area. The 20-year-old will need to nail his movement in the final third to get into all the goal-scoring positions and torment his opponents.

He will also need to be clinical with finishing off chances to light up games for Mohun Bagan and prove his quality as a consistent goalscorer for the Kolkata giants.

1. Abhishek Singh

Mohun Bagan fans can expect to get the first glimpse of new summer signing Abhishek Singh at the Durand Cup 2025, where they’ll aim to get him up to speed with football at his new club.

Abhishek comes to the Mariners’ squad with quite a lot of expectations on him, with the Kolkata giants having paid big money to sign him.

Abhishek Singh should get to prove his quality at left-back for Mohun Bagan at the Durand Cup, having excelled for Punjab FC in that position at the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL).

Abhishek Singh made 22 appearances in the ISL last season and three appearances at the Durand Cup as well, which means he knows what it takes to excel in this competition.

The 20-year-old will look to use his energetic presence and defensive prowess to harass opposition wingers in the Durand Cup games and also make darting forward runs to create big chances, as he aims to prove himself as a complete full-back for Mohun Bagan.

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