The last time the Indian football team took the field was against Malaysia in November last year. Since then, 14 match weeks of the Indian Super League (ISL) have passed, with a few more to go before head coach Manolo Marquez selects a competitive squad for the upcoming international fixtures.
India will open its AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Bangladesh in Shillong on March 25th. Before that, India will play a friendly against the Maldives at the same venue.
Manolo is likely to retain the core of the squad he previously selected. However, some players who have showcased exceptional performances in the ongoing ISL also make a strong case for inclusion in the squad for the upcoming fixtures.
Let’s take a look at a few players who are yet to receive a senior national team call-up but have impressed consistently this season.
Brison Fernandes
The FC Goa forward has been in outstanding form, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in 20 ISL appearances this season. Brison previously expressed his national team aspirations in an interview with The Times of India, saying, “I have a dream. I want to be in the national team, but it will take time.” After making a mark during the 2022-23 season with three goals, Brison endured a forgettable 2023-24 campaign.
However, he has bounced back strongly, meeting the expectations of FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez. Given his impressive displays, Marquez is expected to consider Brison for a national team call-up unless he has other plans.
PV Vishnu
After excelling with East Bengal’s developmental team, Vishnu grabbed attention during his ISL debut last season. This year, he has taken his game to the next level, showcasing maturity and effectiveness down the flanks. Capable of operating on both wings, Vishnu is fearless in taking on defenders. He has scored four goals and provided two assists this season, outscoring several established national team forwards.
Even East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon, a close friend of Manolo Marquez, has recommended Vishnu to the national team coach. After East Bengal’s 2-1 win over Kerala Blasters last month, Bruzon revealed, “I cannot hide that last week I had a conversation with the national team coach about Vishnu’s flair and prowess.” With his consistent performances, Vishnu deserves a debut call-up.
Jerry Mawihmingthanga
The 27-year-old winger is not a new name in Indian football, but this season, Jerry has delivered exceptional performances for Odisha FC. Despite being in contention for a national team spot for some time, he has not yet received a call-up.
This season, however, Jerry’s displays have been particularly compelling, and his consistent form makes a strong case for inclusion in the squad.
Hrithik Tiwary
The FC Goa goalkeeper has also caught the eye of Manolo Marquez with his impressive performances. Hrithik possesses exceptional shot-stopping ability and sharp reflexes. In 14 appearances this season, he has kept five clean sheets and holds a save percentage of 77%—second only to Golden Glove contender Vishal Kaith. Hrithik has produced crucial saves in key moments for FC Goa.
Manolo Marquez has been full of praise for the young goalkeeper, stating, “Hrithik is showing he is ready to play in the ISL, and he is performing very well. What I like most about him is that he is very calm.”
Although there will be stiff competition between Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Vishal Kaith for the first-choice goalkeeper spot, Hrithik could be considered as the third-choice keeper. Given how quickly he has adapted to the ISL, a national team call-up would be a fitting reward and serve as an inspiration for other emerging talents.
In the previous match against Malaysia, Manolo Marquez handed debuts to five players — Irfan Yadwad started in the playing XI, while Hmingthan Mawia, Jithin MS, Thoiba Singh, and Vibin Mohanan came off the bench. Among them, Irfan has displayed the most consistency for Chennaiyin FC throughout the ISL season so far.
As the national team prepares for crucial fixtures against Bangladesh and the Maldives, it will be interesting to see which new talents have caught Manolo Marquez’s attention. The players mentioned above have consistently impressed in the ISL and deserve serious consideration for a place in the national squad bound for Shillong.
Also Read: Oscar Bruzon Defends East Bengal’s Progress Amid Fan Protests
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