The second round of the thirteenth season of the Indian Super League saw 6 matches, with defending champions East Bengal playing their opening match of the season against their league rivals and ISL debutants, Churchill Brothers, whom they faced after around seven years.
Mohun Bagan came back in the second half after trailing by a goal to defeat Sporting Club Delhi 2-1. Inter Kashi and Odisha earned their first point of the season after finishing with a 1-1 draw with late drama in the game. Bengaluru FC defeated Chennaiyin FC with a thumping 2-0 victory.
Northeast United FC are currently topping the table by defeating Kerala Blasters 4-1 in front of their home faithful. Mumbai City FC and Punjab FC shared points after playing out a 1-1 draw in the final match of the round.
This week saw teams like Northeast United and Bengaluru FC extending their unbeaten streak, thereby topping the points table, with SC Delhi yet to earn their first point of the season. Teams like Kerala Blasters, who started the season on a strong note, got thrashed, along with Churchill Brothers, who also suffered a huge defeat against the defending champions.
From Thoi Singh and Gurkirat Singh scoring bangers to Bipin Singh scoring a brace after coming off the bench, this match week saw both young and seasoned domestic Indian players bringing out their best alongside the foreigners, who make the difference in most of the games throughout the season.
These are the 11 players who performed outstandingly, caught the eye, and made it to the ISL 2026-27 Team of the Week for Match week 2.
Formation (4-2-3-1)
GK: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Gurpreet earned his place after a solid Performance against Chennaiyin FC by making five crucial saves and keeping a clean sheet. His best moments of the game include a low save to keep Praka’s efforts from the left flanks wide while also comfortably saving Brison’s long range attempt.
With the team earning a 2-0 victory, the experienced goalkeeper earned the position in this Team of the Week.
LB: Akash Mishra
Akash Mishra started and played the whole 90 minutes against Punjab FC, where both teams shared a point with a 1-1 draw. He made six clearances while winning all of his ground duels and most of his tackles. His defensive work rate and his ability to contribute in the attack make him an automatic addition at left-back.
CB: Nikhil Prabhu
Nikhil Prabhu who was featuring in the midfield over the last few seasons, is back to his natural centre-back position under new head coach Pavlos. Nonetheless, he continues to produce solid performances, and it was the case in his side’s draw against Mumbai City.
A leader at the back, he helped the team secure an important point against the Islanders. Although both Otormin and Wilmar failed to test him massively, he won all his tackles and ground duels, keeping the Mumbai attack silent whenever they tried to open the opposition defence.
CB: Eneko Satrustegui
Eneko Satrustegui was instrumental in NorthEast United’s 4-1 victory over Kerala Blasters in both the defensive and offensive third. It was his through-ball assist for Alaeddine Ajaraie that helped the Highlanders open the scoring establish control early in the match.
His contribution and ability to initiate attacking moves through his long balls, while also being a solid presence in the back line with seven clearances and a couple of recoveries and successful duels, stands him out amongst the other foreign centre-backs who featured this week.
RB: Mehtab Singh
Mehtab Singh playing as a right back for the Mariners in the absence of Asish Rai, put in a crucial defensive shift in Mohun Bagan’s comeback victory over Sporting Club Delhi.
He recorded 19 defensive contributions including seven recoveries against the likes of Sanatomba Singh and Aimen, contributing to the team’s defensive stability while also creating three chances and completing two dangerous crosses going forward.
CM: Lalrinliana Hnamte
Hnamte scored SC Delhi’s opening goal against Mohun Bagan Super Giant where he produced a brilliant left-footed finish in the 23rd minute after receiving a pass from Manoj Mohammad.
Although SC Delhi eventually lost 2-1, Hnamte’s goal demonstrated his ability to contribute directly to the attacking third. He also maintained an 85% successful passing rate, created a few opportunities and completed most of his attempted long balls while successfully completing 10 defensive contributions.
His inclusion recognises individual contribution in both ends of the pitch despite the team’s defeat.
CM: Antonio Moyano
Moyano delivered a decisive contribution against Kerala Blasters, scoring Northeast United’s second goal in the half-time stoppage time and giving the Highlanders a two-goal cushion going into the break.
Throughout the game, he helped his team maintain control in the match, with his ability to dictate the tempo with his passing and the constant ball recoveries in the middle of the park alongside Mayakannan. His solid contribution in both ends of the pitch from a midfield role helped the team to a thumping victory and thereby top the table.
CAM: Dani Ramirez
Dani Ramirez delivered an impactful performance in East Bengal’s 4-0 win over Churchill Brothers, helping his side start their title defence with a massive win.
He won a foul in a dangerous attacking spot in the first minute opened the scoring with a direct free kick. He was a constant threat to the opponent with three shots out of which two were on target and one hit the woodwork.
His technical quality and ability to create key moments from open plays and set-pieces troubled the Churchill defence throughout the minutes he was on the pitch.
LW: Alaeddine Ajaraie
Ajaraie produced one of the standout performances of the week in Northeast United’s 4-1 victory against Kerala Blasters; scoring twice and providing an assist.
His movement, finishing, and ability to create opportunities for teammates and become a threat to the opponent made him one of the most influential attacking players of the match. With two goals, he is already back amongst the contention for the ISL Golden boot race after not featuring in the previous season.
RW: Bipin Singh
Despite coming on as an HT substitute, Bipin Singh was a standout performer in East Bengal’s win over Churchill Brothers. He scored a brace late in the match, scoring twice in 5 minutes to convert a 2-0 lead into a comfortable 4-0 victory for the Red and Gold Brigade.
Not just his ability to exploit attacking spaces and finish attacking moves with clinical strikes, but also his ability to create chances for his fellow teammates with dangerous crosses and intricate one touch plays makes him the standout performer in the right-wing position this week.
ST: Gurkirat Singh
Gurkirat, a striker who was once touted to be the next big thing in Indian Football, delivered a dramatic moment against his former side, Mumbai City FC, to send a strong message to everyone who write him off.
Coming on as a substitute, he scored a 90th-minute equalizer to salvage a point for Punjab FC. The goal was his first ISL goal since December 2023 and also is the first goal scored by a Punjabi for the Shers in the ISL history.
Gurkirat took three shots with the header to score the equalizer remaining the only one on target, something that he has to improve going forward.
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