Inter Kashi FC vs Kerala Blasters FC Preview - Team news, lineups | ISL 2026-27

Inter Kashi will play their home games at Balewadi Stadium, Pune

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 has officially kicked off, and Inter Kashi FC are set to face Kerala Blasters FC in their first match of the season on 11 October 2026.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 PM IST at Balewadi Stadium, Pune, which will host an ISL match for the first time in seven years.

Both Inter Kashi FC and Kerala Blasters have undergone a complete squad overhaul and a change in investors ahead of the season. Having solved almost all the roadblocks both sides faced just a few months ago, both sides are ready for yet another season, yet another challenge.

After not having the best season in ISL 2025-26, Kerala Blasters FC, under the helm of Ashley Westwood, and Inter Kashi FC, under the former Sreenidi Deccan manager Carlos Vaz Pinto, will be eyeing a positive result in the season opener to build momentum and confidence for the remainder of the season.

As we approach the opening fixture between Kerala Blasters FC and Inter Kashi FC, let us look at the stakes involved in the match.

The Stakes

Inter Kashi FC

Inter Kashi FC have come a long way to reach the ISL 2026-27. From prolonged legal issues, unavailability of a home venue, multiple registration bans and suffered a big delay in finalising their new investment deal. However, despite all these struggles, Inter Kashi FC have made themselves ready for the upcoming Indian Super League season.

With almost 16 new signings made in the last couple of days, they have managed to build a decent squad with a mix of young and experienced players. However, most players come to the game without a proper preseason and will face Kerala Blasters, who have a relatively better squad on paper and have had a better preseason.

Hence, for Inter Kashi, the stakes are simple. Remain resilient and composed, ensure that they do not give all three points to the Blasters and start the season with a loss, and slowly rebuild the team over time.

Also Read: Exclusive: Inter Kashi sign 16 players and register 22-man squad for ISL 2026-27

Kerala Blasters FC

The tale of Kerala Blasters FC is ironic. Despite being placed fourth in the all-time ISL points table and being one of the teams with the highest market value on paper, the Blasters have an empty trophy cabinet. They are the only team in the top ten teams of the all-time ISL standings that has not yet won a trophy.

Hence, for Blasters, every season, the stakes get progressively higher. The Tuskers, under the Al Fursan era, have made significant changes to the squad, with most of the new additions being handpicked by Ashley Westwood, and will be eyeing nothing less than the trophy in the Indian Super League 2026-27.

The game against Inter Kashi FC will be the first step for the Blasters to build momentum and confidence and to find out the best eleven for the upcoming games.

Team News

Inter Kashi FC do not have any major injury concerns or suspensions ahead of their game against Kerala Blasters FC. However, the team was recently hit with yet another transfer registration ban, and they missed out on two players and will now play with an all-Indian squad till the January transfer window.

Kerala Blasters will miss the services of their defender Bikash Yumnam, who pulled a calf muscle during training. The player is expected to stay out for around a month. Apart from that, the Blasters have a completely fit squad for their match against Inter Kashi FC.

Predicted Lineup

Inter Kashi FC (4-4-2)

Albino Gomes (GK); Laldinliana Renthlei, Pratik Chaudhari, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Wayne Vaz; Rosenberg Gilbert Gabriel, Hitesh Sharma, Jitendra Singh, Manvir Singh; Sumeet Passi, Ayush Chhikara

Kerala Blasters FC (4-3-3)

Amrinder Singh (GK); Naocha Singh, Aiban Dohling, James Bolton, Hormipam Ruivah; Nebojsa Kosovic, Freddy, Adrian Luna; Andre Green, Sreekuttan, Korou Singh

Player to watch out for

Inter Kashi FC – Albino Gomes

Inter Kashi FC’s newest addition to the goalkeeping unit, Albino Gomes, will be the key player against Kerala Blasters FC in their season-opening game. A tested custodian with vast experience in the ISL, having featured for Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters FC, Albino brings maturity to the Inter Kashi defence.

Albino holds the record for saving the most number of penalties in the Indian Super League. He was also the first goalkeeper to record 100 saves in a single ISL season while playing for Jamshedpur FC and, following an excellent performance last season, Albino has received multiple national team call-ups in the last year.

With Inter Kashi FC having a relatively short pre-season, there is a high probability that Kerala Blasters might consistently put pressure on the Kashi backline and force errors from them. Albino’s shot-stopping instinct will be crucial for ensuring that Blasters do not breach his net and Kashi walk out with a positive result.

Kerala Blasters FC – Adrian Luna

The Kerala Blasters FC’s longest-serving international player, and the third-highest-capped player with 87 appearances for the club, Adrian Luna will be the key player for the Blasters against Inter Kashi FC. The 34-year-old midfielder has been an integral part of the Blasters since the 2021-22 season and was key in leading the Blasters to three consecutive playoff appearances.

Luna, with his excellent flair for moving forward with the ball and providing creative deliveries into the final third, has stepped up for the Blasters whenever the team needed his presence. With excellent game awareness and positioning, the Uruguayan remains a potent threat for opponents in the midfield.

With 15 goals and 27 assists for the club, Luna tops the table for the most goal contributions made for the club.

After a loan stint for Persik last season to support the club financially in times of uncertainty, Luna is back to the Blasters for his sixth season. If Luna can bring back his flair back onto the pitch for the Blasters, he could potentially lead the club to its maiden silverware.

When and where to watch Inter Kashi FC vs Kerala Blasters FC?

The Indian Super League 2026-27 match between Kerala Blasters FC and Inter Kashi FC will be played on the 11th October 2026 at the Balewadi Stadium, Pune.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 IST and will be shown live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD, and will be available to stream digitally for free on YouTube.

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