Should Gurpreet Singh Sandhu still be India's first choice goalkeeper?

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu hasn’t recorded a clean sheet in their last 13 ISL outings.

Indian Super League (ISL) club Bengaluru FC lost their seventh match of the 2024-2025 campaign against Punjab FC in match week 20. The Blues have been slipping down the league table following recent results, and critics are starting to wonder why the team has struggled.

In their most recent outing against the Shers, the Blues again surrendered all three points after Luka Majcen managed to score the only winning goal in the dying minutes of the game. While the game was a closely fought affair, questions have been raised over the performances of India’s No.1 and Bengaluru’s No. 1 goalkeeper.

Is Gurpreet Singh Sandhu still the best goalkeeper for India?

The 32-year-old has been one of the undisputed figures in the Indian national team set-up since his debut in 2011. However, in the past two seasons, the Punjab native has shown concerning signs of a dip in form for both club and country. While the current season began with the Blues shot-stopper keeping five consecutive clean sheets, Gurpreet has failed to keep a single clean sheet since that period.

His technique and form again came under fire against Punjab FC, where he conceded three goals once again. It was the eighth time this season that Gurpreet has conceded two or more goals this season. Last season, the Bengaluru shot-stopper conceded two goals in 10 matches and he is close to matching that figure with five games left in the regular season.

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Is Vishal Kaith up next if Gurpreet Singh Sandhu steps down?

The concerning form of Gurpreet has really put a spotlight on some of the other top Indian goalkeepers in the league. One of the players who has staked a solid claim on his spot with spectacular performances this season has been Mohun Bagan Super Giant goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.

With 10 clean sheets this season, Vishal Kaith is going through his best season between the sticks. His distribution skills and command of the six-yard box along with his ability to stop oncoming shots make him an ideal replacement or potentially an upgrade.

It has been a long journey for the shot-stopper from Punjab, who is already one clean sheet behind his last season’s tally of 12 clean sheets in all competitions. By raising his game in the ISL, critics and fans legitimately now see Kaith as the eventual successor to the Blues goalkeeper. The goalkeeper has been waiting for his opportunity to impress and a Manolo Marquez call-up is a real possibility.

Is it time for the next generation of goalkeepers?

Apart from two of the senior goalkeepers in the Indian set-up, young shot-stoppers like Phurba Lachenpa, Hrithik Tiwari and Prabhsukhan Singh Gill have also stated their case this season. These young goalies have proved the faith of their club head coaches to be right in their talents with standout performances in the ISL this season.

Possibly the third-best goalkeeper in the league this season, Lachenpa has been crucial in goal for Mumbai City FC this season. Despite undergoing a rough start in the first eight games of the season, the 26-year-old bounced back for Petr Kratky’s side with four consecutive clean sheets. Facing sides like East Bengal FC, Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC and Mohammedan SC, Lachenpa showed his class by commanding the box and making crucial saves to keep the Islanders in the game.

Hrithik Tiwari has had a breakout season of the highest calibre after not even being given a single minute in the starting six games of the ISL season. Facing competition from Laxmikant Kattimani in goal for Goa, Tiwari received his start after Kattimani got injured. The 23-year-old quickly repaid the faith placed in him by club head coach Manolo Marquez as he went to keep five clean sheets of his own this season. Conceding only eight goals in 11 appearances this season, Tiwari is certainly one for the future of the Indian football team.

Despite being part of an underperforming East Bengal FC side, Gill has given possibly the best return in challenging conditions. The 24-year-old has been a rock at the back for his side in several games this season despite the club’s miserable start. With five clean sheets in 16 games, the goalie has shown great character and tenacity in the face of the extremely demanding Torchbearer fans.

Is change inevitable for the Indian football team with Gurpreet’s form?

Despite his poor form, the India No. 1 and Bengaluru FC goalkeeper still has the most valid CV out of any Indian goalkeeper across all the leagues. The evidence lies in the immense faith placed on him by Indian national team head coach Manolo Marquez, who continues to pick him despite his poor form.

While Gurpreet continues to play on what he did in the past, there is a possibility that Marquez might be missing the trick with the upcoming crop of promising talent in his position. However, the biggest fact showcasing a need for change is the national team has been winless for over a year. While the blame lies with several factors, the goalkeeping conundrum is certainly one that is an undeniable reason for the poor form.

While Bengaluru FC will continue to back the player and restore his confidence with each passing game, the national team selection should be up for grabs if this form persists. With India continuing to slip down the latest FIFA World Rankings, coach Marquez could be facing serious questions unless the team’s and his No.1 goalkeeper’s form turns around.

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