Modern Indian legends that we would've loved to see in ISL

Unfortunately the best of these players came before the advent of the cash-rich league.

The Indian Super League(ISL), slowly and steadily, has taken over the imagination of fans in Indian football. Anointed the top league in India, the ISL has brought glitz and glamour to the beautiful game, while also adding layers of professionalism to the sport.

Starting in 2014-15, the ISL missed out on several superstars of Indian football who could’ve played a massive role in bringing huge numbers to the stadiums as well as dictating the game on the pitch. Indian fans have been lucky to see the last in this line, as Sunil Chhetri continues to ply his trade for Bengaluru FC. Imagine IM Vijayan chipping the ball in the back of the net against Francisco Dorronsoro in Kerala – the town would have erupted into a mini-earthquake!

Let’s take a look at a few modern legends (players that played after 2000) and how they would’ve enthralled fans. 

4. Mahesh Gawli

Hailing from Tourist’s Paradise of India, Mahesh Gawli is easily one of the best centre-back India has ever produced. Dubbed as the Great Wall of India, he won the Man of the Match award in the 2007 Nehru Cup final as India defeated Asian heavyweights Syria 1-0. The 40-year-old was a rock at the back in that match, and reached his peak in the national team under Bob Houghton, who said,

“Mahesh has a very good right foot. He is quick, possesses a good header and has good interception. He would have been the best right back in Asia. But all his life he has played as central defender…”

Bhaichung Bhutia said that Gawli was the best Indian defender he had played with. At the club level, he had successful stints with Churchill Brothers, East Bengal, Mahindra United and a long relationship with Dempo that continued until he hung his boots. At Mahindra under David Booth, Gawli came into his own, helping them win the National Football League, Federation Cup, Mumbai League and the IFA Shield. He won the award for the best defender in the 10th edition of the NFL.

Currently the assistant coach at Indian Arrows, Gawli is extending all his invaluable experience to the future of India. Gawli, alongside Deepak Mandal, were one of the best central defensive partnerships in South Asia. Having him at any ISL club would’ve added steel to the backline, while also providing stability to the side.

3. Jo Paul Ancheri

Making his debut for the national team in 1992, Jo Paul Ancheri had that something special that could’ve made him one of the biggest names in ISL, but his career was curtailed by injuries. Even then, the man played for all top clubs in India, given his talent and ability on the ball. He had several knee injuries throughout his career and every time people thought he was done, he would make a glorious comeback.

“In the end, I had to retire because of all the injuries. Even in 2006, Bob Houghton called me to attend his camp, but once I got there I couldn't recover my fitness in time. I tried very hard but it was of no use. After that too, I went to play for Viva Kerala, but before going to the Durand Cup I sustained a calf muscle injury. Then I thought, that's it, enough.”

He played his last game for India in 2004, and yet Bob Houghton had called him for his camp. Such was the ability of Ancheri on the ball. On the insistence of Uzbekistan’s Rustam Akramov, who was in charge of the Indian team in 1995, Ancheri fulfilled a number of roles — striker, winger, central midfielder and centre back.

He defines the two opposites in his words. He enjoyed playing as a forward the most. He said, “In the stopper position, you can do a good job for 89 minutes, but if you make a small mistake in the last minute which leads to a goal, everything you did before that is gone. As a striker, even if you play horribly for 89 minutes and score a goal in the final minute, you are a hero.”

Imagine him playing in Kerala today and the crowd going berserk if he scores a volley in the 89th minute in ISL?

2. Bhaichung Bhutia

Born in Tinkitam, Sikkim, he’s had a career beyond the pitch. He’s already shaken a leg (and how!) in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and has participated in electoral politics. A star both on-and-off the pitch, Bhutia is one of the rare footballers who are loved by both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans. Imagine him playing for ATK at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan and scoring one of his typical sharp-shots in the grand finale!

He was lapped on by East Bengal early on in his career and after several recognized performances, he got a call from Bury FC, a second division club in England. After returning, he went back to arch-rivals Mohun Bagan. He’s been part of some of the most enthralling Kolkata derbies in the history, scoring a hat-trick against Mohun Bagan in East Bengal’s 4-1 victory in the 1997 Federation Cup semi-final.

Under Subhash Bhowmick, Bhaichung reached the pinnacle of his game. The coach-player took Indian football by storm and won several trophies, including the national league. East Bengal tasted international success as well, winning the prestigious LG ASEAN Cup in Vietnam. He top scored with 8 goals and was awarded the ‘Golden Boot’. The star striker also bagged the honors for ‘Man of the match’ in the final and ‘Player of the Tournament’, repaying the faith Bhowmick paid in him.

The journeyman played at seven clubs, winning 29 trophies, including the prizes he lifted with the national team. He scored 27 times in 82 games for India in official games, but scored much more in total. Bhutia was not just an Indian, but an Asian legend and his last international game was against Bayern Munich, a farewell match specifically arranged for him.

1. IM Vijayan

If you follow him on Instagram, you know he’s still a superstar and will always be for those who have seen him play. He did not need the ball at his feet in the box – he could drop down, take it, dodge players, make space for himself and score. Had IM Vijayan played the ISL, the Manjappada could celebrate a talisman from God’s own country.

Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, popularly known as Kalo Harin, Vijayan was a celebrity in Kerala and later, in every circle that loved the beautiful game. Vijayan’s rise from a poor boy to the poster-boy of Indian football is nothing short of folklore.

Bhaichung Bhutia, his partner-in-crime up top said, “I.M, Vijayan, undoubtedly. He was a complete footballer. He had everything - good at both feet, a fine head, ball control, passing, speed. He was the best of our time and my most lethal striking partner.”

Stephen Constantine, one of India’s longest-serving managers over two spells, said, “We don’t often see players of Vijayan’s calibre in India. His experience is invaluable. He might have become older but certainly wiser. He is a big plus to the youngsters in the camp.”

Vijayan was magic. He had offers to play in Thailand, Malaysia and several Asian countries, but he decided to stay back in India. From 1989 to 2004, he scored 40 goals in 79 games for India. Officially, though, he is credited with 29 in 66 games. Here are part of lyrics from a song from a movie made on his life and career. It defines him pretty aptly.  

“Who’ll sing Vijayan’s lore, Who’ll hear the tale of valour? The damsel with dark cheeks will sing, the world of Malayalam will hear it with pride.”

“As Vijayan plays the wind will turn, the destroyer of aggressors is his guardian? At his beck and call is the God of war.”

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