Top five Indian players who played for both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal

There is an arch-rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in Indian football.

For a considerable period, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have been two of the most impressive football giants in Indian football. The former are the reigning Indian Super League (ISL) League Winners’ Shield winners and compete in the league under the name Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

Conversely, the Red and Gold have not yet established themselves in the ISL. The two clubs are fiercely competitive because they are both from the same city.The Calcutta Football League 2024 marked the beginning of Indian football’s 2024–25 season on June 25. In the first game of the season, Mohammedan Sporting Club, the reigning champions, defeated Wari Athletic Club 6-0 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan. Both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are yet to begin their respective campaigns, though the Kolkata Derby has been scheduled for July 13, 2024.

Here we take a look at the top five players who have played for both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal:

5. Gautam Sarkar

Most people agree that one of the best midfielders in Indian football history was Gautam Sarkar. He began his career with the Kidderpore SC. He was renowned for his incredible work-rate and accurate passing. In 1972, Sarkar was a key player in East Bengal’s treble-winning campaign. Gautam Sarkar was the captain of East Bengal during the 1976–1977 season.

The match between Mohun Bagan and the New York Cosmos finished in an exciting 2-2 draw at Eden Gardens in 1977. But, the moment Sarkar accepted Pele’s congratulations is still the most memorable moment in his career.

Gautam Sarkar, a Mohun Bagan Ratna recipient, was a vital member of Pradip Kumar Banerjee’s team and contributed his extensive knowledge and expertise to the “National Club of India” till 1983 .

More specifically, he was referred to as the ‘Indian Beckenbauer.’ He also played for Aryans FC in the Calcutta Premier Division ‘A.’

4. Krishanu Dey

After meeting football coach Achyut Bandopaddhyay at a game at Rabindra Sarovar, Krishanu entered the league, but the story did not end there. Under Achyut Bandopaddhyay, Krishanu started his professional career in 1979 with Police A.C. in the Calcutta Football League.

He later moved to the Calcutta Port Trust in 1980. There, he played for a few seasons until moving to Mohun Bagan in 1982. He scored his first goal against Dempo Sports Club in the Strafford Cup in 1982. Up till 1984, he was a player for Mohun Bagan. In 1985, he joined the Red and Gold.

Many have referred to Krishanu Dey as the “Maradona of India.” One Federation Cup, three IFA Shields, three Durand Cups, five Calcutta Leagues, one Rovers Cup and three All Airlines Gold Cups were among the many titles he amassed with the club.

East Bengal had a memorable season in 1990, winning the Calcutta Football League, All Airlines Gold Cup as well as the “Triple Crown” of the IFA Shield, Durand Cup and Rovers Cup. For a brief while, Roy captained the national team during the 1992 Asian Cup and the 1993 SAFF Cup, which India ultimately won.

3. Subhash Bhowmick

During his nearly 10-year playing career, Subhash Bhowmick moved from East Bengal to Mohun Bagan and vice versa several times. When Bhowmick was a striker, he was quite proficient at finding the back of the net

Just one year after joining the Red and Gold to start his career, in 1970, he departed the team to play for the Mariners. He was regarded as a strong striker who confidently led the attack and was instrumental in East Bengal’s historic 5-0 thumping of Mohun Bagan in the 1975 IFA Shield final.

Additionally, Bhowmick competed at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, where the team won the bronze medal. The seasoned striker eventually called it quits on his career in 1979, having had two spells with Bagan and three with East Bengal.

2. Sudhir Karmakar

Arguably one of the best defenders India have ever produced, Sudhir Karmakar excelled as a player for both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The makeshift right-back was a crucial member of the East Bengal team that avoided defeat against Dok Ro Gang, a North Korean club that fielded six players from their country’s FIFA World Cup squad. East Bengal overcame the PAS Club of Iran as well, with Sudhir Karmakar being a crucial member of the defence.

He was chosen as Asia’s best defender following India’s bronze medal victory at the 1970 Asian Games. During the 1972–73 season, the star-studded East Bengal team were captained by the attacking full-back.

1. Mohammed Habib

Mohammed Habib was a bronze medalist at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok, when he played for Mohammedan Sporting, East Bengal, and Mohun Bagan. During his prime, he captained the team alongside fellow Hyderabadi Syed Nayeemuddin and was managed by PK Banerjee. For a considerable ime in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Mohammedan Sporting were the center of Indian football.

Many people consider the elusive, incredible attacker to be among the finest forwards in Indian football history. One of the highlights of Habib’s career was playing in a rain-soaked Eden Gardens friendly in 1977 for Mohun Bagan against the visiting Cosmos Club, which also included the great Pele.

An inside forward who played from deep, he was a genuine No.10 for the Red and Gold as well as the Green and Maroons because of his flawless receiving and poacher’s instinct. Habib performed admirably when playing for Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in the 1980s.

In 1977, he won the “Triple Crown” and received acclaim from Pele for his goal against the New York Cosmos at Eden Gardens. He won East Bengal three Durand Cups and several Rovers Cups then. To-date, he is the only player to score three goals for a victorious side in the Durand Cup final.

Notable Mentions

Proshanto Banerjee, Dipendu Biswas, Renedy Singh, the former Indian captain, Bhaichung Bhutia, Manoranjan Bhattacharya, Anas Edathodika, I.M. Vijayan are some gigantic players not included in this article, but have had an influence on the field with both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.