ISL 2025-26: Mohammedan SC predicted lineup for upcoming season

Mohammedan SC is set to begin their campaign against Jamshedpur FC on 15th Feb

With the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign now almost on the horizon, Mohammedan SC are hoping that the season can mark a new dawn for them. The Black Panthers had a really forgettable 2024-25 season in which they finished rock bottom of the ISL table, and they’ll be determined to change that in the upcoming campaign.

The unique aspect about Mohammedan SC is that they will go through the 2025-26 season with an entirely all-Indian squad. The Kolkata giants have opted against acquiring any foreign players for this campaign, which means head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo will be tasked with getting the very best out of the all-Indian squad.

Mohammedan SC had a disappointing period in the 2025-26 Super Cup and Durand Cup, getting eliminated in the early rounds itself. They have not made any major signings in terms of roping in domestic players for the upcoming ISL season, retaining the majority of their Indian core from the previous campaign to give them another chance to shine this time around.

The Black Panthers are definitely going to have to settle being the underdogs of the 2025-26 ISL campaign and prove their doubters wrong by springing in some surprising results. They’ll need to be defensively resolute to survive the onslaught from other ISL teams and also use their promising young attacking players to hit teams on the counter-attacks.

Mohammedan SC should be adopting a 4-2-3-1 formation for the upcoming ISL campaign, which should give them an ideal balance in keeping a sturdy defensive shape and also hitting teams on the break. Now, we look at how Mohammedan SC can line up for the 2025-26 ISL season.

Mohammedan SC Predicted Lineup (Formation: 4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper – Subhajit Bhattacharjee

With Padam Chhetri not really able to impress in the 2024-25 ISL season, it seems that a change is on the horizon for the goalkeeper role at Mohammedan SC. The Black Panthers might give the opportunity of guarding their goal to Subhajit Bhattacharjee, who predominantly featured in the cup competitions earlier this season.

The 24-year-old was able to keep just one clean sheet in the 2025 Durand Cup and played in all six matches in the Durand Cup and Super Cup for his side. Subhajit will need to be more proactive with his work between the posts and sharper with his shot-stopping to be able to get many clean sheets in the 2025-26 ISL.

Right-Back – Vanlalzuidika

Vanlalzuidika featured in the majority of Mohammedan SC’s games in the 2024-25 ISL campaign, showcasing his versatility in being able to play as a right-back or left-back. However, he should continue playing on the right-back position in the upcoming campaign, having produced some solid performances against Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC in that role last season.

The 27-year-old won 79 duels in the 2024-25 ISL, making 95 possession recoveries and also 57 clearances to prove his quality as a proactive defender. He’ll probably need to improve his attacking contributions to help create more chances, as the full-back aims to help his side get more wins.

Centre-Back – Gaurav Bora

Gaurav Bora has definitely gained a lot of experience in the Indian football scene, having played for multiple clubs in the ISL. He made 15 appearances in the 2024-25 ISL campaign and should be able to keep his role as a regular starter for the Black Panthers in this upcoming ISL season.

The sturdy defender made 42 clearances and 53 possession recoveries last season, helping his side keep a few clean sheets as well. However, Bora will probably need to be more proactive with his defensive work and tight with his player marking to frustrate forwards and keep a mean defensive line for his side.

Centre-Back –  Pukrambam Dinesh Meitei

Mehrajuddin Wadoo seems to be really high on the qualities of young centre-back Dinesh Meitei, who has become the Mohammedan SC captain for the upcoming ISL campaign. Dinesh looked pretty solid in the cup games for the Black Panthers in the Durand Cup and Super Cup campaign, even though unable to deny the losses for his side.

The 20-year-old could have his breakthrough season in the 2025-26 ISL and garner attention from other major clubs. He will need to show maturity with his game-reading skills and ability to make crucial challenges to frustrate opponents. Meitei needs to be a commanding figure who helps maintain a sturdy defensive shape and ensure his side can frustrate their opponents with their rigid defending.

Left-Back – Sajad Hussain Parray

Sajad Parray is another promising young defender who is eager to impress for Mohammedan SC in the upcoming ISL campaign. The 22-year-old only made five appearances in the 2024-25 ISL, but he played every minute of Mohammedan’s Super Cup and Durand Cup campaign in the 2025-26 season.

Sajad is a proactive fullback who is capable of holding his own against pacy wingers, being able to track their movement and make crucial tackles as well. He’ll need to be energetic on the wide areas to frustrate opposition players, and also brave in carrying the ball forward into the danger zones to help create chances for his side.

Centre-Midfield – Yash Chickro

A versatile midfielder in his own right, Yash Chickro is another young player ready to make his impact in the 2025-26 ISL campaign. The 19-year-old can pay in a variety of roles in midfield, but he is likely to play in that midfield pivot for the Black Panthers.

Chickro will need to be smooth with his forward passes and also fight hard to win battles in the midfield to help his side hold their own in the midfield battle. The teenager will look to use his technical prowess and fighting spirit to help the Black Panthers take the fight to opposition midfielders and outwit them in key situations.

Centre-Midfield – Amarjit Singh Kiyam

As a former captain of the India U17 team that played in the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup, Amarjit Kiyam has definitely gained a lot of experience to be able to act as a commanding figure in the Mohammedan SC midfield. The 25-year-old will look to excel under Wadoo with his fighting nature and ensure his side can keep a mean shape in the midfield.

Amarjit made 16 appearances in the 2024-25 ISL for the Black Panthers, maintaining an 84% passing accuracy and winning 39 duels. He’ll look to be proactive with his pressing to hound opposition midfielders, win the ball back in crucial positions, and help with the smooth transitions to keep a lively nature in the middle of the park.

Mohammedan SC predicted Xi for the ISL 2025-26 season

Right-Wing – Lalthankima

Lalthankima was actually one of the brighter aspects of the cup competitions in the 2025-26 season for Mohammedan SC, producing some eye-catching performances in the Durand Cup and Super Cup. The 20-year-old winger managed two assists in the Durand Cup, including one in the loss to Mohun Bagan as well!

The young winger can be a real unpredictable threat with his clever forward movement, burst of pace and ability to sneak his way into the danger zones. He’ll look to be a harassing figure on the right-wing, creating big chances with his delivery and also look to get into more goal-scoring positions to enhance the goal threat for the Black Panthers.

Attacking-Midfield – Mahitosh Roy

Mahitash Roy is set to take on a key creative role for Muhammad and sc as an attacking midfielder in the upcoming Indian Super League 2025-26 season. The 27-year-old has been identified as a central figure in linking midfield with attack, thanks to his vision, movement and ability to operate between the lines.

Mahitosh is definitely a hard-working and spirited player with a lot of admirable qualities to him. He’ll need to be smart with his decision-making in the ISL to help create big chances on a regular basis for Mohammedan, and the youngster must also glisten up his final product to help add more goals to the Black Panthers frontline.

Left-Wing – Ashley Alban Koli

Ashley Alban Koli should be able to make that left-wing role his own in the upcoming 2025-26 ISL campaign, after having predominantly featured in the Black Panthers’ cup competitions in this season so far. The 24-year-old was especially impressive against Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup, scoring an impressive goal against the ISL giants.

He will look to use his clever off-the-ball movement to get into more goal-scoring positions to help torment the opposition defenders. Koli must also be smart in moving the ball forward into the danger zones and be efficient with his final third delivery to be able to help the Black Panthers get some important victories.

Centre-Forward – Thokchom Adison Singh

Thokchom Adison Singh appears to be Mohammedan SC’s go-to striker option for the 2025-26 season after losing their foreign core from the last campaign. The 21-year-old is not exactly a natural striker, but he can fit into the centre-forward role with ease because of his sprinting prowess and positional awareness.

Adison Singh will look to torment the ISL defenders with his clever off-the-ball movement and get into some danger areas on a consistent basis. He’ll look to slip past the defenders markers to get into the empty areas in the box and help finish off moves efficiently to help Mohammedan get some vital results in the ISL.

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