The Indian Tremendous League 2024–25 season has formally come to an in depth. Mohun Bagan conquered their second League Protect and added a second ISL Cup to their title. They now face Churchill Brothers within the Tremendous Cup ultimate, with the prospect to finish a historic treble.
When the ISL started, it was envisioned as a platform for rising Indian stars—a stage the place new skills might shine and finally earn a spot within the nationwide group. Over time, nevertheless, that narrative light away. In any case these years, the league has nonetheless failed to supply a first-class striker—or perhaps a easy alternative for Sunil Chhetri.
This season additional uncovered that failure. Just one Indian striker made it into the highest 10 aim scorers record. And, disappointingly, it was the particular person ISL had as soon as dreamed of changing—none apart from the 40-year-old legend Sunil Chhetri himself. He netted 14 targets in 28 matches and added two assists. No younger Indian striker or expertise managed to interrupt into the highest 10.
The youngest participant to achieve the higher tier of the record was Brison Deuben Fernandes from FC Goa. He scored 7 targets and offered 2 assists in 24 matches, rating thirteenth total. Lallianzuala Chhangte was one other ahead who made an affect, scoring 6 targets and helping 2 in 24 video games, inserting him within the prime 25.
The truth that not a single Indian ahead scored greater than 10 targets is deeply disappointing. The core theme of ISL 2024–25 was to discover a worthy successor to the long-lasting Sunil Chhetri. Satirically, the one striker to make it into the highest 5—and even prime 10—was Chhetri himself. The over-reliance on overseas gamers was one other obvious concern.
This grew to become evident when Chhetri returned to worldwide soccer after retirement. India barely managed to outlive towards a low-ranked Bangladesh aspect—a match that uncovered the shortage of expertise up entrance for India.
All through your entire season, we barely heard the title of any Indian star making an impactful efficiency for his or her membership. The one Indian title that resonated was Khalid Jamal—and he’s a coach. Not a single younger Indian participant’s efficiency actually fascinated or impressed.
This raises critical questions concerning the very basis of the Indian Tremendous League.
Regardless of being a completely practical league for a number of years, it has did not ship a homegrown striker. Whereas the league has produced just a few forwards like Rohit Danu, Rahim Ali, Liston Colaco, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Lallianzuala Chhangte, none of them appear poised to take the baton from Chhetri.
Many imagine Lallianzuala is a gem and a possible alternative. However can a participant who scored simply six targets be thought of a successor to somebody who scored greater than 14? Absolutely not. Whereas Lallianzuala has earned his place in each U-19 and senior nationwide squads, his presence within the beginning XI has at all times been overshadowed by Chhetri.
ISL is failing as a result of a number of causes, together with an absence of grassroots growth, failure on the worldwide stage, overreliance on overseas gamers, declining TV rankings, and extra. However among the many most devastating elements are the sidelining of the I-League, the quick season length, and the franchise-based mannequin.
The I-League: A Forgotten Heritage
One main concern is how the ISL has sidelined the I-League, as soon as the guts and soul of Indian soccer. This division has created a big hole between the normal fan base and the brand new system. Many loyal followers of conventional golf equipment discover it arduous to attach with the franchise-based ISL format.
In 2023, the least-attended ISL match had simply 361 followers. In 2025, that quantity was 350 for the least-attended sport on March 6. These figures inform a disheartening story.
The Quick Season
A typical soccer season spans round 9 months, from August to Could. However in India, the ISL barely lasts 4 months. This quick window fails to construct momentum or a loyal following amongst impartial followers.
Sure, ISL recorded 81 million viewers—a big quantity. However even that pales compared to the 110 million Indians who watched Argentina vs France, two nations unrelated to India. It reveals that Indian followers exist; they don’t discover Indian soccer compelling.
With a fanbase of round 304 million—practically equal to the inhabitants of nations with prime soccer leagues—India has immense potential. However ISL’s failure to achieve even neighbouring nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, regardless of housing a historic membership like Mohun Bagan (courting again 136 years), is telling.
The Franchise-Based mostly Mannequin
One other low level is the ISL’s franchise-based mannequin. Most soccer leagues function with a promotion and relegation system. However within the ISL, there isn’t any worry of relegation—irrespective of how poorly a group performs.
This season, the league launched a promotion-relegation system. However even that grew to become controversial when two golf equipment claimed promotion.
Over time, the Indian Tremendous League is turning into much less related to the typical fan. Solely the most important golf equipment handle to take care of a loyal fan base. If the present system continues, ISL dangers turning into simply one other forgotten chapter in Indian soccer historical past.
