How many minutes have ISL players clocked in national colours?
BFC players top the chart in the senior category, while NEUFC players highlight the U17 bracket
In Indian Football, trophies often lead the headlines. Derby victories and playoff races shape the narratives, but a club’s true contribution banks on the players’ contribution in national colours.
From a player earning national team call-ups to becoming a regular face, the clubs play a pivotal role in nurturing talents, shaping them into game-changers, and establishing them to etch their names into history books.
In the Indian Super League (ISL), some clubs have emerged as the powerhouses of senior national team stars while others have relied on youth prospects and age-category developments.
Here is an analytical breakdown of players who have played the most minutes for the national team across senior, U23, U20, and U17 levels, categorised by their ISL clubs.
Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC stands as the undisputed figure in the ISL.
Senior: 3342 minutes
Bengaluru FC’s biggest strength lies in the senior level, where experienced internationals have consistently carried responsibility. Veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and seasoned defender Rahul Bheke are among the regular choices in the ISL 2025-26 season.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Gurpreet Singh Sandhu | 1101 |
| Rahul Bheke | 1039 |
| Roshan Singh | 153 |
| Nikhil Poojary | 261 |
| Suresh Singh Wangjam | 408 |
| Ryan Williams | 127 |
| Ashique Kuruniyan | 233 |
| Sana Singh | 20 |
U23: 1277 minutes
Harsh Palande and Ricky Meetei underline the Blues’ healthy bridge between the youth and senior teams.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Harsh Palande | 580 |
| Ricky Meetei | 512 |
| Vinith Venkatesh | 52 |
| Shivaldo Singh | 133 |
U20: 1916 minutes
Bengaluru FC’s youth development structure is considered one of the best in the country.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Suraj Singh | 360 |
| Bungson Singh | 237 |
| Rishi Singh | 136 |
| Ahongshangbam Samson | 300 |
| Yaipharemba Chingakham | 331 |
| MD Arbash | 308 |
| Rohen Singh | 244 |
Odisha FC
Odisha FC forward Rahim Ali, who has played an important part for his side in the ISL, got the chance to showcase his potential in the Unity Cup and friendlies against Tajikistan. He showcased his potential form for the National side as he earned about 295 minutes.
Senior: 295 minutes
| Player Name | Overall Minute |
| Rahim Ali | 295 minutes |
Chennaiyin FC
Senior and emerging players largely drive Chennaiyin FC’s contribution for the national team.
Senior: 778 minutes
The Marina Machans established a reliable pathway from the first-team setup to the national team core, supported by dynamic forward options such as Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, and Rahim Ali as they played for the Marina Machans in the ISL.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Farukh Choudhary | 502 |
| Irfan Yadwad | 276 |
U23: 653 minutes
Lalrinliana Hnamte is the flagbearer of the two-time ISL Cup winners in this age category.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Lalrinliana Hnamte | 653 |
U17: 2 minutes
Chennaiyin FC’s U17 contribution remains limited, with Nitishkumar Meitei Yengkhom only recording two minutes on the field.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Nitishkumar Meitei Yengkhom | 2 |
East Bengal FC
East Bengal FC showcased a distinct tactical preference in the ISL for relying on experienced campaigners in the national team.
Senior: 1577 minutes
Powered by defensive mainstay Anwar Ali, East Bengal FC captain Naorem Mahesh Singh, and the likes of Jeakson Singh and Edmund Lalrindika, the Red and Gold Brigade players have had a strong impact in the ISL, and that paid off in the senior setup.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Anwar Ali | 820 |
| Jeakson Singh | 297 |
| Naorem Mahesh Singh | 314 |
| Edmund Lalrindika | 146 |
U23: 23 minutes
Youth participation remains relatively short, as Joseph Justin only clocked 23 minutes with the national U23 team.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Joseph Justin | 23 |
FC Goa
FC Goa continue to balance experienced campaigners with potential academy prospects.
Senior: 922 minutes
FC Goa’s defensive mainstay Sandesh Jhingan and full-back options Boris Singh and Udanta Singh are the consistent performers in national colours.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Sandesh Jhingan | 848 |
| Boris Singh | 1 |
| Udanta Singh | 73 |
U23: 180 minutes
Rooney Wilson, who scored a brilliant goal against Mohun Bagan when The Gaurs welcomed the Green and Maroon Brigade, has made his name in the list. He played 180 minutes for India U-23 side in the Tri-Nation friendlies against Bhutan and Tajikistan.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Rooney Willson Kharbudon | 180 |
U17: 259 minutes
The Gaurs are well-known for nurturing technically sound prospects and guiding them to the senior national team.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Lesvin Rebelo | 259 |
Jamshedpur FC
Jamshedpur FC’s contribution comes mainly from the senior internationals.
Senior: 642 minutes
With Mohammed Uvais, Mohammed Sanan K, and Nikhil Barla, the Men of Steel demonstrated their resilient and hard-working mentality to log gritty minutes on the international stage.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Mohammed Uvais | 419 |
| Mohammed Sanan K | 113 |
| Nikhil Barla | 110 |
Kerala Blasters FC
Kerala Blasters FC boast a developmental philosophy in the ISL and prioritises transforming academy prospects to national team regulars.
U23: 1811 minutes
Players like Vibin Mohanan and Bikash Yumnum clocked significant minutes with the U23 setup under the guidance of Naushad Moosa.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Vibin Mohanan | 330 |
| Bikash Yumnum | 540 |
| Ebindas Y | 49 |
| MD Ajsal | 85 |
| Muhammed Saheef | 248 |
| Sumit Sharma | 143 |
| Korou Singh | 273 |
| Sreekuttan MS | 143 |
U20: 147 minutes
Thokchom Malemngamba Singh is the only KBFC player to feature in this age category.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Thokchom Malemngamba Singh | 147 |
Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mohun Bagan Super Giant maintain contributions across multiple age groups.
Senior: 540 minutes
Regular faces like Vishal Kaith, Lalengmawia Apuia, Liston Colaco, and others racked up significant minutes with the senior national team as they played for the badge in the ISL.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Vishal Kaith | 180 |
| Lalengmawia Apuia | 90 |
| Liston Colaco | 90 |
| Manvir Singh | 90 |
| Tekcham Avisekh Singh | 90 |
U23: 680 minutes
Players like Dippendu Biswas, Suhail Bhat, and others have emerged through the ranks of the Kolkata giant’s youth development programs.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Dippendu Biswas | 230 |
| Suhail Bhat | 301 |
| Priyansh Dubey | 135 |
| Thangjam Roshan Singh | 14 |
U17: 69 minutes
Abhishek Kumar Mondal is the only Mariner to feature in this age category.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Abhishek Kumar Mondal | 69 |
Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC possess one of the stronger senior national team footprints.
Senior: 2166 minutes
The Islanders dominate India’s attacking outlet with the likes of Lallianzuala Chhangte and Vikram Partap Singh.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Akash Mishra | 445 |
| Valpuia | 337 |
| Lallianzuala Chhangte | 745 |
| Vikram Partap Singh | 614 |
| Noufan PN | 25 |
U17: 209 minutes
Mumbai City FC develop young talents from their scouting setup into tomorrow’s difference-makers.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Yuvraj Kadam | 209 |
NorthEast United FC
NorthEast United FC present an extraordinary statistical anomaly to get featured in each age category.
Senior: 336 minutes
Players like Jithin MS and Macarton Louis Nickson are the key performers in the senior category.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Jithin MS | 177 |
| Macarton | 153 |
| Parthin Gogoi | 6 |
U23: 417 minutes
Bekey Oram, Dipesh Chauhan, and Thoi Singh turn the Highlanders into one of the most youth-driven clubs in the league.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Bekey Oram | 43 |
| Dipesh Chauhan | 211 |
| Macarton Louis | 45 |
| Thoi Singh | 85 |
| Danny Meitei | 33 |
U20: 29 minutes
With players in each age category, these numbers indicate NorthEast United FC are a major feeder for India’s youngest national setup.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Tanbir Dey | 29 |
U17: 3511 minutes
The Highlanders dominate the U17 category by clocking a staggering 3511 minutes with Shubham Poonia, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, and Dallalmuon Gangte.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Shubham Poonia | 1205 |
| Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam | 1183 |
| Dallalmuon Gangte | 1123 |
Punjab FC
Punjab FC continue to establish themselves as one of Indian football’s exciting development projects.
Senior: 873 minutes
Nikhil Prabhu leads the charge among other Punjab FC players who make headlines with their instant impacts with limited exposure in the national team.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Nikhil Prabhu | 474 |
| Pramveer | 9 |
| Manvir Jr | 123 |
| Ricky Shabong | 278 |
| Bijoy Varghese | 100 |
U23: 495 minutes
The Shers’ young prodigy, Mohammed Suhail, has a towering presence in the national U23 team.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Pramveer | 180 |
| Mohammed Suhail | 315 |
U20: 1093 minutes
The significant contribution in the U20 category reinforces the club’s youth-first philosophy.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Thoungamba Singh | 29 |
| Karish Soram | 29 |
| Aniket Yadav | 22 |
| Laishram Meitei | 360 |
| Omang Dodum | 331 |
| Vishal Yadav | 322 |
Inter Kashi FC
Inter Kashi FC and their newest brand of football gave the spotlight to the U-23 Indian side. As the Banaras side is the path for Tomba Singh to reflect his true footballing passion.
U-23: 113 minutes
Inter Kashi FC’s proven midfielder this season was Tomba Singh, who played exceptionally well this season against all odds. His ability to run the game and control the tempo of his side has been truly amazing, as he got the chance to prove himself in the Tri-Nation Friendlies.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Tomba Singh | 113 |
Mohammedan Sporting Club
The Black Panthers, who just faced relegation in the ISL 2025-26 season with an all-inexperienced Indian squad, have produced two good U-23 players who played their best game against Bhutan and Tajikistan.
U-23: 203 minutes
Adison Singh, the forward and sole creator of the Mohammedan side who even scored for them in the ISL in the late minutes and clinched two back-to-back draws, has made his name in the India U-23 squad. Along with him, his club-mate Kima also emerged as a gun player for the Moosa system when they played in the U-23 Tri-Nation Friendlies.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Adison Singh | 95 |
| Lalthankima | 108 |
Sporting Club Delhi
Sporting Club Delhi’s urge to develop emerging talents acts as a bridge for the young starlets.
U23: 320 minutes
Mohammed Aimen highlights the category with his exceptional skillset and growing maturity.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| Mohammed Aimen | 306 |
| Yanglem Sanatomba Singh | 14 |
U20: 123 minutes
The club’s youth program plays a crucial role in building the future baseline of Indian football.
| Player’s Name | Overall Minute |
| MD Kaif | 123 |
Which ISL club contributed the most minutes to India’s national teams?
Bengaluru FC topped the list with 6,535 combined minutes across the Senior, U23, and U20 national teams, underlining their strong influence on Indian football.
Which club dominated the U17 national team category?
NorthEast United FC recorded an impressive 3,511 minutes at the U17 level, the highest among all clubs featured in the analysis.
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Shibashis is a sports journalist with over three years of experience covering Indian football. His work spans reporting, writing, and editing, with a strong focus on telling stories from across the Indian football landscape. Passionate about both Indian and European football, he continues to build his career by combining sharp reporting with a deep love for the game.