Last five winners of Durand Cup Emerging Player Award
NorthEast United FC are the defending champions of Durand Cup
Durand Cup is one of the most prestigious Cup competitions in Asia, with a lot of legacy, it is not only the oldest tournament but also a great platform for many Indian players. The upcoming Durand Cup is set to begin on 25th July in Kolkata, as it will be a proper stage for all the young players right now in Indian football to prove their value.
Every year many young prospects get their chances in the Durand Cup and test themselves against senior players and experienced foreigners. Many footballers used Durand Cup as a steppingstone in their career before becoming a regular name in the ISL or in the national camp.
As we move closer to the Durand Cup 2026, take a look at all the last 5 emerging players from the last five editions.
Devendra Murgaonkar (FC Goa) – 2021
Devendra Murgaonkar made a name for himself in FC Goa, as he won the Durand Cup Emerging Player Award in 2021. He played for FC Goa, and Murgaonkar impressed all the Indian football fans with his immense pace and finishing throughout the tournament.
He scored five goals in his six games as FC Goa won the Durand in this edition. Later on, he went on to join the Nizams, and now he is playing for SC Delhi but has since then searching for some important game time to prove himself.
Sivasakthi Narayanan (Bengaluru FC) – 2022
Sivasakthi Narayanan, the 25-year-old forward from Bengaluru FC, has won the Durand Cup’s emerging player award in the 2022 season. As a result of his immense performance, the Blues reached the final of the tournament and defeated Mumbai City FC to lift the title.
He scored five goals in the whole edition of the tournament and became an important part of Bengaluru FC. However, in the last ISL season with Bengaluru FC, Sivasakthi Narayanan just played 331 minutes.
David Lalhlansanga (Mohammedan SC) – 2023
Currently playing for the ISL 2025-26 champions, East Bengal FC, David Lalhlansanga didn’t get the proper chances in the highest level of football after he won the emerging player award in 2023 for Mohammedan SC. Having played for the Black Panthers, David reached his best potential in the Durand Cup.
He scored six goals in his first Durand Cup campaign in just three games courtesy of four outrageous goals against Jamshedpur FC in their last match of the group stage. David impressed all Indian football enthusiasts with the modern play of a striker who can hold the defenders on the back and then turn and score goals for his team.
Also Read: Top 3 teams that are favourites to win Durand Cup 2026
Parthib Gogoi (NorthEast United FC) – 2024
Parthib Gogoi was the standout performer for the Highlanders as they won their first-ever Durand title in 2024, and he played the most important role for NorthEast United FC. The Indian international forward who just played against Tajikistan in an international friendly has won the Durand emerging player award in 2024.
The player, who improved his style of play in NorthEast United FC, scored four goals in the four games as they won their first title in 2024. He has the ability to take on defenders and is known for his clinical finishing and calm nature to deliver the best outputs in front of goal.
Everbrightson Sana (Shillong Lajong FC) – 2025
Everbrightson Sana from Shillong Lajong FC has been one of the most consistent players for the IFL side as they played a beautiful brand of football, and Sana received the Durand Cup Emerging Player Award in 2025 by scoring four goals and providing one crucial assist for his team.
His work rate and intelligence make his playing style very unique. When the country is desperately looking for a new attacker upfront, Everbrighton Sana could possibly be the man.
He can score goals and make justice with Buam’s deliveries. He does not only score goals but also creates chances and is very intelligent with his body movement.
What is the Durand Cup Emerging Player Award?
The Durand Cup Emerging Player Award is given to the best young player of the tournament who delivers outstanding performances throughout the competition.
Who received the Emerging Player Award in the 2025 edition?
Shillong Lajong FC forward Everbrightson Sana won the award after scoring four goals and providing one assist during the tournament.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.