Kerala Blasters are set to face Inter Kashi in their opening fixture at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune. Both sides haven’t had the biggest of pre-seasons coming to the game and would be looking to have an even contest. Let’s take a quick peek at how things are going behind the scenes:
Al-Kerala Blasters
Kerala Blasters have been through a long period of uncertainty, that is till the 29th of September 2026, when the club officially announced that 100% of the club was getting acquired by Al Fursan Sports & Tech Ventures from then owners, Magnum Sports Pvt. Limited. What followed was a masterful week of squad building as the club wrapped up a total of 11 player incomings in such a short span of time while retaining Ashley Westwood as head coach.
The Blasters have primarily reinforced their wings and midfield, along with the goalkeeper spot, with the domestic signings comprising of highly-rated youngsters like Sanan and Chhunga, and experienced campaigners in the likes of Sahil and Amrinder. The Blasters have also completed their foreign quota, with Ashley having a key say in the signings.
The return of Captain Adrián Luna has also caused a stir among the fans, in a good way, as the legendary Uruguayan looks to become the player with the most appearances for the Blasters in what could be his last dance. The return of Korou Singh after a long absence related to personal issues and the signing of Sanan from Jamshedpur have given the fans another reason to be excited about the Blasters’ attack this season as they tune in to watch the Blasters in action this evening.
A Rejuvenated Kashi
Inter Kashi was another side that was under financial troubles and faced multiple transfer bans, and only recently completed 16 signings after lifting those bans, but got another ban shortly after, which is expected to be resolved soon. The Warriors of Kashi have appointed Carlos Vaz Pinto as their head coach for the 2026-27 season and have announced that they will be playing their home games in Pune. The former I-League Champions are expected to field an all-Indian squad till the next transfer window, and the upcoming game is expected to be a big test for the freshly assembled squad.
Inter Kashi reportedly are arriving into the season with 6 renewals, and their aforementioned 16 signings mostly comprise of the now dissolved Jamshedpur FC players, incl. well-known names like Albino Gomes and Pratik Chaudhari from the Red Miners, along with the likes of Hitesh Sharma, Jitendra Singh, and Ayush Chhikara from Odisha, Chennaiyin, and Mumbai City, respectively.
Team news
Both teams are heading into this game with a delayed pre-season and a lot of last-minute additions to the camp. So, don’t be surprised if a few players are not in the matchday squad. However, Ashley Westwood has confirmed that Bikash Yumnam will be ruled out for a month for the Blasters.
Head-to-head
Inter Kashi have faced Kerala Blasters only once before, which was a game that possesses huge significance on the history of the Uttar Pradesh club as their first ever ISL win came against the Blasters at the JLN Stadium in Kochi in the 2025/26 season.
Predicted lineups
Inter Kashi FC (4-4-2):
Albino Gomes (GK), Aritra Das, Nishchal Chandan, Pratik Chaudhari, Dinliana; Rosenberg Gabriel, Hitesh Sharma, Jitendra Singh, Thoi Singh; Ayush Chhikkara, Manvir Singh;
Kerala Blasters (4-2-3-1):
Amrinder Singh (GK); Naocha Singh, James Bolton, Ruivah Hormipam, Amey Ranawade; Vibin Mohanan, Nebojsa Kosovic; Mohammad Sanan, Adrian Luna, Korou Singh; Andre Green;
Key Matchups:
Pratik Chaudhari vs Andre Green:
Our First key matchup for the fixture is none other than the Blasters’ new no. 9 v/s the ex-Blaster Center-Back. The 37 y/o Pratik boasts of nearly 150 appearances (148 to be precise) in the Indian Super League and is the most experienced campaigner in the Kashi lineup, and his task at hand for the evening would be to stop the Blasters’ new English forward, Andre Green, from colonizing the Kashi defense.
The first foreign signing for the Blasters this season – the former Villan forward is coming directly from a stint in the Portuguese first tier (Liga Portugal) with Avs Futebol and is expected to be the primary CF option for the Blasters. The new forward might’ve only had a little less than a week in India, but he’ll be looking forward to announcing himself in the Indian Super League, and there’s no better way than a goal in his debut to do that. This matchup is key as it could decide how the scoreline will be at the end of the 90′.
Laldinliana vs Sanan:
Needless to say, the Right-Back from Mizoram has a difficult task at hand. Sanan has been in excellent form recently, and locking him would be a key priority for Kashi as they prepare for their opening game. The 28 y/o veteran’s wealth of experience with over 100 appearances in ISL is expected to be reflected on the pitch as he prepares to face the FPAI’s 2026 Young Player of the Year.
On the other hand, for Sanan, he would be looking to continue his excellent form with a good performance against the current occupants of the former Orange Army’s territory, and beating Dinliana would be key to it. This is another key matchup considering how crucial the wingers’ role is in Ashley Westwood’s style of attack.
Jitendra Singh vs Adrián Luna:
The 25 y/o Defensive Midfielder is looking to continue his ISL journey with Inter Kashi after rejecting offers from I-League (Indian Football League) clubs and would be looking to cement himself at the heart of Kashi’s midfield, and the first obstacle he’ll have to face in his way is none other than the Uruguayan playmaker, The Blasters’ Magician, El Capitán, Adrián Nicolás Luna Retamar. The 34 y/o is, without an argument, one of the ISL’s greats and is coming back to the Blasters after a successful loan spell in Indonesia with Persik Kediri, where he produced a 6 G/A season from 15 appearances for the club.
Adrián Luna’s vast experience in Indian soil and his role as the engine of the team make him a key target to take care of for every opposition, and for Kashi, Jitendra is expected to take on the task as their primary defensive midfielder. The Blasters’ skipper had a goalless season last time around for the Blasters and would be looking to get back into the scoresheet soon as the fixture approaches.
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