ISL 9: Top goalkeepers to look out for

The Indian Super League, which kicks off on October 7, will continue till March.

Goalkeepers have the most thankless job on the football field. It can get quite lonely in between the sticks as they have no partner to rely on, unlike the outfield players.

We take a look at the men with gloves in the Indian Super League, who will be crucial to their team's success

Laxmikant Kattimani, Hyderabad FC

Let us start with the reigning champion keeper. Laxmikant Kattimani safeguarded Hyderabad last season as the team went on to lift the ISL title.

He put in a brilliant show in last year's final as he made three superb saves in regulation time and emerged the hero in the penalty shootout as Hyderabad beat Kerala Blasters 3-1.

His stats for last season were impressive, having made 61 crucial saves while conceding only 23 goals throughout the campaign.

Lalthuammawia Ralte, Odisha FC

29-year-old Ralte is not the first-choice keeper for Odisha. However, he had an exceptional campaign during the summer Durand Cup. He kept four clean sheets during the Group stage of the Cup and is the top contender to take over the mantle of the main gloveman for Odisha in the near future.

Phurba Lachenpa, Mumbai City FC

Lachenpa is another keeper who had a strong outing in the Durand Cup. Mumbai reached the final of the Cup, but despite not coming out on top they have found a gem in the 24-year-old.

With the Islanders looking to bounce back after a lacklustre campaign, Phurba Lachenpa will be key to holding the fort at the back end of the field.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Bengaluru FC

BFC is blessed with talent across the field. They have a superb front line, made intelligent signings in midfield to bolster the existing talent, and have a solid backline led by the impressive Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

He is India's top keeper and won the ISL Golden Glove title in 2018-19 and 2019-20. He was instrumental in Bengaluru winning the Durand Cup, which was on the back of an impressive outing in last year's ISL.

He registered 33 saves and three clean sheets in the 2021-22 campaign, and BFC will expect Sandhu to produce the goods once again.

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Kerala Blasters FC

The exciting young Gill won last year's Golden Glove award after a string of impressive performances. He is one of the best shot-stoppers in Indian football, having blocked 47 shots in the last campaign.

He became first choice keeper for the Blasters last season when he replaced the injured Albino Gomes, and conceded only 21 goals.

The 21-year-old has the world at his gloves and he will look to impress in this year's ISL.