ISL All Time Best XI; Sunil Chhetri, Hugo Boumous, Lallianzuala Chhangte & more

Take a look at Khel Now’s ISL all-time best XI.

The Indian Super League (ISL) has provided the platform for many footballers, be it Indian or foreigners, to soar over its 11-year-long history. The league has elevated the overall infrastructural quality of Indian football, allowing a higher sense of professionalism to set into the Indian football system.

Over its history, the ISL has provided an uncountable number of bright memories for Indian football fans. It’s also given opportunities to many players to prove their quality, with the ISL giving rise to some of the Indian football team regulars in recent years. However, some players have played at a significantly higher level than average players to have participated in it.

There have been some real standout performers in the ISL over its history, with these players maintaining admirable consistency and quality with their performances. Here, Khel Now offers you a look at our all-time best XI in the ISL history so far.

Goalkeeper – Vishal Kaith

Vishal Kaith was able to become a regular in the ISL from a relatively young age, breaking through to the FC Pune City side in 2017. He spent a few years at the club before joining Chennaiyin FC in 2019, spending three years with them. However, there was a sense of rawness to Kaith’s performances during that period as he made mistakes and disappointed fans. He really started thriving after Mohun Bagan signed him in 2022, beginning a brilliant journey for the goalkeeper.

Kaith has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the ISL over the years and a real success story for the division. He’s made a total of 145 appearances so far in the competition, keeping 54 clean sheets – the most for any goalkeeper. He broke the record for most clean sheets in a single campaign by keeping 15 clean sheets in the 2024-25 season, helping Mohun Bagan win the ISL double. The 28-year-old’s been impressive with his shot-stopping and reactions, becoming India’s no.1 and also winning the ISL Golden Glove twice.

Right-Back – Pritam Kotal

Pritam Kotal has been playing in the ISL since its inception in 2014, having begun his career initially at FC Pune City. He also played for the likes of ATK and Delhi Dynamos, but most of his success came with Mohun Bagan itself. Kotal has maintained admirable longevity in staying as a regular in the ISL, be it playing as a right-back or even as a centre-back.

He’s won the ISL title three times in his career, helping the Mariners keep 12 clean sheets in their success 2022-23 season as well. The 31-year-old has made 183 appearances in the ISL, playing for Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters in the last two seasons. He’s helped his teams keep 50 clean sheets, making 383 interceptions and 722 possession recoveries, being arguably one of the most consistent defenders in the ISL over the last decade.

Centre-Back – Rahul Bheke

Rahul Bheke has been a mainstay in the ISL since 2015 and has enjoyed quite a lot of success with multiple teams. The Indian international played a key role in helping Bengaluru FC win their first ISL title, scoring in the 2019 ISL final against Chennaiyin FC and helping them keep seven clean sheets in that campaign.

He also won the ISL title with Mumbai City in the 2023-24 season, helping them keep eight clean sheets! Bheke has been a consistent figure for Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City, being defensively solid and a composed figure against tough opponents. He’s made 176 appearances so far in the ISL, helping his sides keep 57 clean sheets, winning 634 duels and making 721 possession recoveries in that period.

Centre-Back – Mourtada Fall

Mourtada Fall arrived in the ISL in 2018 through FC Goa, and his skill set has made him an ideal fit for the Indian football scene. The 6’3’ physical defender has been able to torment forwards with his aggressive style and enjoyed quite a lot of success. Fall won the ISL Winners Shield with FC Goa and also the ISL Winners Shield (twice) with Mumbai City as well as the ISL title with the Islanders.

He’s currently playing for Odisha FC, but his past achievements make him one of the most dominant defenders in ISL history. He’s made 140 appearances in the competition, helping his teams to 37 clean sheets, during the period where he’s won 663 duels and also scored an impressive 25 goals in the ISL!

Left-Back – Subhasish Bose

Subhasish Bose has enjoyed a lot of success in the ISL with the different teams he’s played for, with the majority of it coming at Mohun Bagan itself. The 29-year-old started his ISL career with Bengaluru FC before having a short stint at Mumbai City. He joined the Mariners in 2020 and has been a pivotal part of their dominance in the last few years.

Bose has been elevated to the Mohun Bagan skipper, as he guided them to win the ISL double in the 2024-25 season, aiding them to keep 13 clean sheets and scoring six goals last season. He’s made 167 appearances in the ISL so far, helping his teams to 63 clean sheets, during which he’s won 980 duels and made 773 possession recoveries to be an energetic and tenacious full-back.

Centre-Midfield – Ahmed Jahouh

Ahmed Jahouh was brought to Indian football by FC Goa, and he turned out to be an ideal midfield prospect for the Gaurs. The Moroccan midfielder won the ISL winners’ shield with FC Goa before being signed by Mumbai City in 2020. He went on to be a key part of their success, winning the ISL Winners’ Shield twice and the ISL title as well.

Jahouh’s impressive set-piece prowess, accurate long-ball and passing qualities helped him control the midfield battles for his team, and he was defensively solid too. He made 150 appearances in the ISL, scoring nine goals and providing 29 assists and also averaged 71 passes per game, while his defensive qualities also shone through as he won 998 duels before his bitter exit from Odisha FC.

Centre-Midfield – Lalengmawia Ralte

Lalengmawia Ralte made his debut in the ISL at the age of NorthEast United, and thus started a promising career where he’s already achieved some major things at a young age. The 24-year-old has enjoyed success with both Mumbai City and Mohun Bagan, winning the ISL League Shield and ISL title with the Islanders.

He played a key role in helping the Mariners win the ISL double in his debut season with them, even scoring a key goal in the playoffs. Apuia has proven himself as a unique midfielder who is extremely press resistant, can regain possession in key areas and boasts an impressive variety in passing range. He’s already made 113 appearances in the ISL, averaging 43 passes per game and also won the 2021 ISL Emerging Player of the Year award!

Right-Wing – Lallianzuala Chhangte

Lalliuanzuala Chhangte has enjoyed quite a decorated career in the ISL, where he’s played for the likes of Delhi Dynamos, Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC. The majority of his success, of course, has come with the Islanders. The 28-year-old has won the ISL League Shield and the ISL Cup with the Islanders.

He played a key role in their ISL Shield win in the 2022-23 season, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in that campaign. Chhangte also won the ISL Hero of the League award for his amazing work in that season. He is one of the most successful Indian forwards in ISL history, having scored 46 goals and provided 20 assists in 168 appearances so far.

Attacking-Midfield – Hugo Boumous

Hugo Boumous is arguably the most impactful foreign midfielder to have played in the ISL, and his numbers basically speak for themselves. The Frenchman was brought to Indian football by FC Goa, but also went on to enjoy success with Mumbai City and Mohun Bagan. He played a vital role in FC Goa’s ISL League Shield win in 2019-20, scoring 11 goals and providing nine assists, which also bagged him the ISL Golden Ball.

Boumous had 10 goal contributions (three goals, seven assists) in Mumbai City’s ISL double win in 2020-21, and also nine contributions (five goals, four assists) in Mohun Bagan’s ISL title win in 2022-23. He’s scored 35 goals and provided 39 assists in 124 appearances in the ISL and is still going strong with Odisha FC.

Left-Wing – Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri has been the most successful player in the ISL, at least in terms of getting goal contributions for his sides. He has played for Mumbai City and Bengaluru FC in the ISL, with the majority of his career being with the Blues. Chhetri helped them win the 2018-19 ISL title and also enabled them to keep their reputation as one of the top ISL sides since their entry in 2017.

He won the 2017-18 Hero of the ISL campaign for his heroics, scoring 14 goals in that campaign. Chhetri also scored 14 goals in the 2024-25 season, even at the age of 40. The India skipper has scored 75 goals and provided 13 assists in the ISL, and remains the player with the most goals and most goal contributions in ISL history.

Centre-Forward – Bartholomew Ogbeche

Bartholomew Ogbeche arrived at the ISL with the experience of playing for PSG. That’s why it’s not surprising that he attained success with multiple teams. Ogbeche guided NorthEast United to the ISL playoffs for the first time before going on to achieve major success with Mumbai City. He allowed the Islanders to win the 2020-21 ISL double, even providing a key assist in the final!

Ogbeche went on to achieve success with Hyderabad FC, helping them win the 2021-22 ISL title. He won the ISL Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season, scoring a whopping 18 goals in the season. The Nigerian forward left the ISL with 63 goals in the competition, the highest for any foreigner in ISL history.

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