The 2023-24 Indian Super League (ISL) season was a showcase of defensive brilliance, tactical ingenuity, and thrilling comebacks. With Mumbai City FC lifting the ISL Cup and Mohun Bagan Super Giant getting their hands on their first-ever League Shield, the top two teams from the league stage both went home with silverware to their name.

Plenty of new players managed to make a name for themselves, while some of the more experienced players proved their worth all over again. Be it the domestic players or the foreign ones, each individual gave his 100% on the pitch in order to help their respective teams achieve their seasonal objectives.

As the dust settles on the tenth edition of the ISL, let’s take a look at the players who made it to the Team of the Season.

Formation: 3-4-3

Goalkeeper

Phurba Lachenpa (Mumbai City FC)

The Mumbai City FC goalkeeper from Sikkim left an indelible mark on his side, showcasing remarkable consistency and resilience. Emerging as a pivotal figure in the starting lineup, he delivered another stellar campaign as he won the Golden Glove award.

Across 22 appearances, Lachenpa’s impact was profound, evident in his role in securing the joint highest number of clean sheets for the Islanders this season, tallying an impressive nine shutouts. With 42 crucial saves to his credit, he played a decisive role in guiding Mumbai City FC to their second ISL Cup triumph in history.

Throughout the season, his reflexes were razor-sharp, evident in his 21 clearances and a commendable record of conceding only 17 goals from a staggering 179 shots faced. His saves percentage stood at an impressive 71% by the season's end, a testament to his reliability under pressure.

While the 26-year-old may not have delivered his peak performance in the final against Mohun Bagan SG, his presence between the posts remained pivotal to Mumbai City FC's commanding comeback victory.

Defenders

Ryan Edwards (Chennaiyin FC)

The English defender emerged as a stalwart for the Marina Machans. Despite enduring a challenging start, he played a pivotal role in steering his team to the playoffs from a position languishing in the bottom half of the league table.

While the Marina Machans conceded the second-highest number of goals this season (36), Edwards' presence in the backline remained indispensable. Serving as one of the team's key leaders, he provided stability and guidance to their defensive unit.

In his debut season in Indian football, Edwards showcased his defensive prowess accumulating 79 clearances, 31 blocks, 26 interceptions, and nine successful tackles, proving adept at disrupting opposition attacks. Additionally, he demonstrated his versatility by engaging in 100 successful duels and even found the back of the net twice, further highlighting his value to the team.

Odei Onaindia (FC Goa)

The Spanish defender seamlessly transitioned from one club to another under the guidance of Manolo Marquez, following his head coach's path from Hyderabad FC to FC Goa.

His experience bolstered FC Goa's defensive line, contributing significantly to their transformation into a formidable unit. Throughout the ISL 2023-24 season, the Gaurs boasted the league's second-best defensive record, conceding a mere 21 goals in the league stage, trailing only behind Mumbai City FC.

Onaindia played a pivotal role in this defensive solidity, registering eight clean sheets while showcasing his defensive acumen with 30 interceptions, 16 blocks, and 94 clearances. Additionally, he recorded eight tackles and engaging in 67 successful duels. Notably, he also contributed offensively, netting a goal during the campaign.

Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan SG) (Captain)

The India international emerged as a cornerstone in the defensive setup of Mohun Bagan SG, anchoring the backline with his wealth of experience. Bose played a pivotal role in the Mariners' defensive solidity, instrumental in securing nine clean sheets throughout the ISL 2023-24 season.

Consistently featuring in all 25 matches, the Kolkata native showcased his defensive prowess with 33 interceptions, 27 blocks, and 77 clearances, 37 tackles and 145 successful duels in addition to netting a goal. His contributions extended beyond statistics, as he led by example on the field,

Bose's leadership qualities were equally evident, as he captained Mohun Bagan SG with distinction, guiding them to their historic first-ever League Shield triumph.

Midfielders

Lallianzuala Chhangte (Mumbai City FC)

Chhangte has etched his name in the annals of ISL history as the sole Indian player to achieve double-digit goals in multiple seasons, replicating his goal tally of 10 strikes from the 2022-23 campaign in the latest season.

For Mumbai City FC, Chhangte emerged as a clutch player during the ISL 2023-24 season, particularly in pivotal moments for the Islanders. His remarkable performance included a memorable six-minute brace against FC Goa in the first leg of their semi-final followed by another goal in the reverse leg, helping Mumbai City FC reach the final.

Alongside his scoring prowess, Chhangte showcased his creative flair with six assists, crafting 43 goal-scoring opportunities for his team.

Ahmed Jahouh (Odisha FC)

As a standout performer amidst a star-studded team, Jahouh seamlessly adapted to his new club, showcasing unparalleled creativity in midfield. His exceptional vision and precise passing played a pivotal role in propelling Odisha FC to their most successful ISL campaign yet, securing a playoff berth and subsequently advancing to the semi-finals for the first time in the club's history.

The midfield maestro's impact extended beyond orchestrating play, as evidenced by his two goals and four assists during the season. Additionally, his ability to create scoring opportunities was unrivalled, with Jahouh crafting an impressive 47 goal-scoring chances for the Kalinga Warriors.

Defensively, Jahouh proved equally influential, contributing 33 clearances, 35 interceptions, and triumphing in 113 duels. His defensive acumen played a crucial role in Odisha FC's transitions from defence to attack.

Madih Talal (Punjab FC)

Punjab FC embarked on their maiden ISL journey with a rocky start, struggling to find their footing and secure points in the initial stages of the season. However, as they acclimated to the demands of the league, the Shers underwent a remarkable transformation, showcasing brilliance that belied their status as newcomers to the Indian top-tier football scene.

Central to their commendable season was Madih Talal, the linchpin of their midfield, who emerged as the league's most prolific playmaker, tallying an impressive 10 assists.

In addition to his six goals, Talal proved instrumental in creating goal-scoring opportunities for his team, crafting a total of 57 chances in his 22 appearances. His creative prowess positioned him amongst the elite in the league, with only Brandon Fernandes of FC Goa and Dimitri Petratos of Mohun Bagan SG surpassing him in chances created.

Talal's contributions not only bolstered Punjab FC's attacking arsenal but also served as a testament to their ability to compete at the highest level despite being newcomers to the ISL landscape.

Vikram Partap Singh (Mumbai City FC)

The ISL 2023-24 season marked a turning point for Vikram Partap Singh, as he soared to new heights. The 22-year-old etched his name in the record books by becoming the league's second-youngest player to achieve a hat-trick. His knack for delivering under pressure was evident when he netted a crucial last-minute equalizer against FC Goa in the semi-final.

Initially struggling to find his rhythm under Des Buckingham's management, Singh's fortunes took a dramatic upturn following the arrival of Petr Kratky. Under Kratky's guidance, he experienced a remarkable resurgence, transforming into a formidable force on the field. His goal-scoring exploits saw him amass eight goals, accompanied by four assists, while also creating 24 goal-scoring opportunities for his team.

Forwards

Roy Krishna (Odisha FC)

Since his arrival in India five years ago, the ISL veteran has left an indelible mark as one of the league's most lethal strikers. From his early days at ATK FC to his tenure at Mohun Bagan SG, the Fijian forward has consistently delivered when it matters most.

This season, Krishna continued to showcase his goal-scoring prowess at his new club as the linchpin of Odisha FC's attack, sharing the top spot for most goals scored (13) alongside Golden Boot winner Dimitrios Diamantakos of Kerala Blasters FC. Additionally, he provided three assists while creating 42 chances, highlighting his creative abilities.

Krishna's clinical finishing was reflected in his impressive goal conversion rate of 37.14% by the end of the ISL 2023-24 season.

Dimitrios Diamantakos (Kerala Blasters FC)

Diamantakos has emerged as a formidable force in the opponent's penalty area, playing a pivotal role in Kerala Blasters FC's journey to the playoffs this season.

The Greek forward clinched the prestigious ISL Golden Boot with an impressive tally of 13 goals, matching Roy Krishna's feat but edging ahead due to fewer minutes spent on the pitch. His clinical finishing and predatory instincts made him a talismanic figure for Kerala Blasters FC.

In addition to his goal-scoring exploits, Diamantakos also contributed three assists in his 17 appearances, showcasing his versatility and ability to create opportunities for his teammates. Notably, he boasted a remarkable 40.62% shot conversion rate, proving his efficiency and effectiveness in front of goal.

Dimitri Petratos (Mohun Bagan SG)

Since his arrival in 2022, the Australian forward has undeniably been the linchpin of the Mariners, consistently making a significant impact in the attacking third. His ability to find the back of the net and set up opportunities for his teammates has become second nature to him, posing a constant threat to opposition defences.

This season, Petratos continued to shine, amassing an impressive total of 17 goal contributions, comprising 10 goals and seven assists. His outstanding performances earned him the coveted ISL Golden Ball award, cementing his status as the league's Best Player.

Despite a relatively modest goal conversion rate of 14.93%, Petratos' influence on the Mariners' attack was unparalleled. His creative flair was particularly evident in his joint-leading tally of 60 goal-scoring chances created this season, a feat he shares with Brandon Fernandes of FC Goa.

Head coach: Antonio Lopez Habas (Mohun Bagan SG)

In January, Habas assumed the mantle of head coach at Mohun Bagan SG, heralding a remarkable turnaround for the squad.

After enduring a dismal spell with three consecutive losses against Mumbai City FC, FC Goa, and Kerala Blasters FC in the latter stages of the first half of the season, Mohun Bagan SG and former head coach Juan Ferrando parted ways, paving the way for Habas to take charge.

Tasked with revitalising a demoralised and underperforming team, Habas instilled a renewed sense of purpose and belief in the players. Through his leadership, he guided them back to their best form, culminating in their historic League Shield triumph. The Mariners were also unstoppable in attack, scoring the most numbers of goals this season.