It’s Here Again!
The Indian Super League is back! The kick-off took place on 20th October 2019. The opening match of the season was between the heavyweights Kerala Blasters and ATK in Kochi.
Teams Competing in Indian Super League 2019
Ten teams from nine different states of India are competing in the tournament. The competition features Southern derby between Chennaiyin and the Kerala Blasters, and the Maharashtra derby between Mumbai City and Pune City. In 2017, Bengaluru and Jamshedpur club teams became a part of the competition. Later, Delhi Dynamos got christened as Odisha FC. Meanwhile, FC Pune City is no longer a part of the tournament, and Hyderabad FC is the new addition.
ISL – 2014 to 2019
Top Teams
| Season | Winner | Score | Runners–up |
| 2014 | Atlético de Kolkata | 1–0 | Kerala Blasters |
| 2015 | Chennaiyin | 3–2 | Goa |
| 2016 | Atlético de Kolkata | 1–1 | Kerala Blasters |
| 2017–18 | Chennaiyin | 3–2 | Bengaluru |
| 2018–19 | Bengaluru | 1–0 | Goa |
Top Players
| Rank | Player | Years | Represented Clubs | Goals |
| 1 | Ferran Corominas | 2017– | Goa | 34 |
| 2 | Sunil Chhetri | 2015– | Mumbai City, Bengaluru | 30 |
| 3 | Iain Hume | 2014– | Kerala Blasters, ATK, Pune City | 28 |
| 4 | Marcelinho | 2016– | Delhi Dynamos, Pune City | 24 |
| 5 | Jeje Lalpekhlua | 2014– | Chennaiyin | 23 |
ISL 2019-20 Competition Format
A maximum of 25 and a minimum of 22 players can be there on each team’s roster. The players must be represented by Football Sports Development Limited agents. Out of the total number of players on the roster, a maximum of seven foreign players can play, and at least two players from Indian developmental players must represent the team.
The salary cap for each team is Rs 17.5 crore, as that is the maximum they can spend on their squad. Each side is allowed to sign a marquee non-Indian player, who will not count towards the salary cap. The inclusion of such a player is, although, not a compulsion.
There will be only one match per day, which will begin at 7:30 pm. In league phase, each team will play a total of 18 matches. One match will be on home ground, and one will be at other venues against each of the nine other groups. The four top teams will play semi-finals, and the two winners of the semis will fight at finals.
Watch out for ISL 2019-20 favorites
There is a lot of excitement to look forward to this season. Bengaluru and Goa are strong contenders, team ATK has made the most head turns in the last five years. The former champion looks the strongest on paper and has signed plenty of top-notch foreign players.
Chennaiyin FC, the team at the bottom last season, has taken up a new look and is eager to prove its mettle this year.
Bengaluru FC should head the list of favorites. The Blues have strengthened the team with the signing of Ashique Kuruniyan and Raphael Augusto.
ISL sixth edition will include ‘cooling breaks’, as per the new laws of the game of FIFA. It will last from 90 seconds to three minutes in each half depending on climate conditions at the venue. The match officials will decide it in consultation with the match referee.
Yo champs! Get ready for this magnificent five-month-long football gala, ISL 2019-20.
