The 2017-18 season of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) culminated with Chennaiyin FC clinching the coveted title and becoming the champions for the second time in three years. However, the season will be remembered for several other reasons, with one of them being the coming of age of domestic players.

Over the past four years, Indian football has seen incredible growth of local talent, with the Hero ISL being one of the major platforms. Even this year saw Indian players rising to the occasion, delivering fantastic performances on the field and taking their respective clubs forward. Here are the five most influential domestic players who made a mark in the just concluded season.

Sunil Chhetri

The Hero of the tournament lived up to every expectation heaped on him in the Blues debut Hero ISL season. From leading Albert Roca’s men from the front with utmost calm and composure, to emerging as the most valuable player in the league, courtesy his 14 goals and two assists over the course of the season, Chhetri was omnipresent.

Featuring in every match for the Blues, the Indian National Team’s captain was the biggest asset for his team, while his lethal partnership with strike partner Miku, one of the most dreaded in the league.

Seityasen Singh

Though Delhi Dynamos FC started their season on a disappointing note, they ended it on an eight-match unbeaten streak. A major reason for the same was the return of form of star players and Seityasen’s tireless patrol in the midfield.

The 26-year old was a steady figure in the middle of the park for the Lions, ensuring the strikers were regularly fed with chances, while also running back to aid the defence. He finished the season with a goal and three assists, in the 504 minutes he played in the league, over 11 matches.

Nandhakumar Sekar

The 2017-18 season may not have been a satisfactory one for Delhi, but some of the youngsters in the squad rose to the challenge and proved their mettle. One such bright spark was their 22-year old midfielder, Nandhakumar Sekar.

Playing in his debut Hero ISL season, Sekar managed to soak in the pressure of playing against star players and assisted four and scored one in the nine matches he featured in for the Lions. While his pace was his biggest plus-point, he was equally adept at keeping the ball rolling, while aiding both defence and attack.

Udanta Singh

One of the brightest stars of the season, Udanta Singh’s creativity and flair has earned him the tag of being one for the future. Only 21 years of age, the Manipur-born lad was retained by Bengaluru FC ahead of their debut Hero ISL season and stepped up to the plate to deliver in all the 19 games he featured in.

He ended the season as the top assist-provider with seven assists under his belt, coupled with a goal. His pace down the flanks is incredible and he was one of the main architects behind providing Bengaluru’s star strikers several opportunities to score.

Anirudh Thapa

Another budding youngster finds his name on the list, thanks to his ability to change the pace of the game with his clinical passing and good positioning. The 20-year old played in 16 matches for the current champions Chennaiyin FC and ended the season with two goals and an assist to his name.

He is considered to be the next big thing in Indian football, and in this season, he has shown glimpses of what he is capable of. His pace is an added advantage and with more experience over the years, he is sure to hit his best patch.