The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) is never short on thrills and spills with the opening matches of the season often setting the tone for the rest of the campaign. Two-time winners Atlético de Kolkata (ATK) have been involved in two of the three opening day fixtures in the past, while 2015 winners Chennaiyin FC have also featured in an opening day tie. One fascinating revelation while looking back at these matches is that at least one finalist featured in all these games. With that in mind, we decided to take a look at the previous opening day games, while also looking ahead to this season’s curtain raiser between ATK and Kerala Blasters FC.12th October 2014: Atlético de Kolkata vs Mumbai City FCWhat bigger stage to host the ISL’s first ever match than the largest football stadium in India and the mecca of football in the country? ATK squared off against Mumbai City FC on a memorable October night in front of thousands of passionate fans at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Although the result may suggest it was a lopsided contest after Kolkata’s 3-0 win, it must be said that Mumbai played their part and had their moments over the 90 minutes. Fikru Teferra Lemessa had the distinction of being the ISL’s first ever scorer before the Spanish duo of Borja Fernandez and Arnal Llibert added a goal each as the home side’s journey to being crowned the first champions began under the tutelage of Antonio Habas, who was just as exuberant in ATK’s first match as he was in the final.3rd October 2015: Chennaiyin FC vs Atlético de KolkataOne of the most thrilling opening day fixtures so far, ATK were again in action on the first day of the league albeit against a different opponent in the form of Chennaiyin FC. Little did anyone know at the time that it was a battle between the defending champions and the eventual champions. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai was the stage for this one as the hosts ended up on the wrong side of a 3-2 thriller. ATK’s marquee man for the season, Helder Postiga scored a brace for the Habas-coached side with a Jeje Lalpekhlua equaliser sandwiched in between. Valdo got a third for the visitors before Elano Blumer grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot. ATK began their title defence with a statement but Chennai rallied to good effect and proved that a bad start doesn’t necessarily mean a disastrous season. Interestingly, it was Chennaiyin who went on to have the last say against ATK by emerging 4-2 aggregate winners in the semis that year before edging past FC Goa in a pulsating final.1st October 2016: NorthEast United FC vs Kerala Blasters FCLast season’s first match saw eventual finalists Kerala Blasters FC take on NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The game was decided by a solitary Katsumi Yusa goal after he managed to get on the end of a Nicolas Velez cross for a tap-in. Similar to Chennai in the second season, Kerala rallied and came back stronger in the latter half of the league to clinch a semis berth at the Highlanders’ expense - it was the last match of the league phase and decided which team would make the semis. The Blasters, playing in front of their home fans, were a point ahead and needed just a draw, but local boy CK Vineeth bagged a winner to ensure his side’s berth in the semi-finals, where they upset Delhi Dynamos FC before succumbing at the final hurdle for a second time to ATK.17th November 2017: Atlético de Kolkata vs Kerala Blasters FCWhat better way to start the new and revamped longer league with more teams than heading back to the venue where it all started! The upcoming edition of the Hero ISL will witness the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (also referred to as Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata play hosts again as the reigning champions ATK rekindle the rivalry with their old nemesis Kerala Blasters. With the anguish of the last season’s final loss still lingering in their minds, Kerala will want to make a statement against the two-time champions who’ve had the better of them more often than not in the past. Add to that, the electrifying atmosphere as well as the return of ATK’s all-time top scorer Iain Hume, in Kerala colours, and you’ve got all the makings of a blockbuster start for what’s certain to be the biggest season yet.