3 underused Mohun Bagan players who deserve more playing time in final stretch of ISL league phase

Mohun Bagan sit at the top of the ISL table.

It looks like a matter of time before Mohun Bagan are able to seal the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) shield championship. The Mariners have four more games to play in this particular stage, but they have a 10-point lead over FC Goa and a 12-point lead over Jamshedpur FC (who have a game in hand).

That is probably why Jose Molina’s side is not under intense pressure anymore, because it looks like a matter of when they retain the championship. The Spanish coach has done a really good job in rotating his squad this season, especially in terms of covering for the injured players. Molina is blessed to have a squad filled with quality players, including those on the bench as well.

That is why he has the chance to give players who haven’t exactly received as many minutes as they’d probably deserve in the final phase of the league stages. Here we look at the three underused Mohun Bagan who should get more attention in the final stretch of the league phase.

3. Suhail Bhatt

Suhail Bhat had an encouraging start to the 2024-25 campaign for Mohun Bagan and was one of their best players of the 2024 Durand Cup. The 19-year-old forward scored two goals in three matches for them in the competition but has failed to replicate that in the ISL. Even though Suhail has made nine appearances in the top division, he’s only had 122 minutes of total game-time.

That includes only one start, which was in the 0-0 draw against Chennaiyin FC. With the pressure of the title race slightly eased on the Mariners right now, it’s perhaps time that Bhat gets more playing time on a regular basis. It’s not like he has to start all the games, but should receive more playing time as a substitute in matches.

It’d be smarter for Molina to introduce Bhat into matches around the 60-70 minute mark, giving him the chance to adapt himself as per the opponents and bolster their goal-scoring potential. The 19-year-old has proven his quality as an efficient finisher, but he needs more minutes to show that at the biggest stages.

2. Dimitri Petratos

Dimitri Petratos is experiencing some adaptive issues in Jose Molina’s system and his form has dipped in recent weeks for Mohun Bagan. Fortunately for the Mariners, they haven’t been impacted by the Australian forward’s poor form. Petratos has only started the game in the Mariners’ last six clashes and the only way he can regain his swagger is if he plays more often.

Petratos should be rotated with the other foreigner attacking players, with Molina knowing how he’s fresh and ready to make an impact. Petratos’ ability cannot be undermined after the way he’s helped the club in recent seasons. He has five goal contributions (two goals, three assists) this season, and more regular playing time can allow him to shaky off his rustiness. Petratos should be handed more starts to add more versatility and variety to Mohun Bagan’s attacking pattern.

Petratos has the qualities to excel behind the centre-forward (Jamie Maclaren or Jason Cummings) in Molina’s system and can benefit from having the utmost freedom in that position. As long as he’s given enough encouragement to keep getting into more scoring positions or having the freedom to dictate Mohun Bagan’s attacking moves, Petratos can really fire up the Mariners’ attack in the final stages of the campaign.

1. Ashique Kuruniyan

Fitness and injury issues have frustrated Ashique Kuruniyan for major parts of the 2024-25 season. He had trouble coping with the intensity of the training sessions tat he beginning of the campaign but has now seemingly regained full fitness.

Kuruniyan has been grossly under-used this season, only getting just over 220 minutes of playing time spread across 12 matches in the ISL. The 27-year-old helped add more energy and pace to his side after coming on early in the second half against Punjab FC.

That positive performance is proof that he needs to get more playing time to really express his qualities in the best way. Ashique is yet to have a goal contribution this season but has still managed 24 possession recoveries, 18 duels won and five chances created with his little cameos.

Kuruniyan possesses a unique set of skills, being able to burst past defenders with his pace and also swing in inviting crosses. He can also often dart into the box to score goals and can light up Mohun Bagan’s attack in the final stretch of the campaign.

Molina can perhaps start rotating him with Liston Colaco, or move Colaco to the right wing to give Manvir Singh some rest. Ashique, however, deserves more chances to add more liveliness to Mohun Bagan’s attack and earn his place in the squad for the future.

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