The Indian Super League (ISL) is expected to be more competitive in 2024-25 with the addition of Mohammedan SC to the fray. The Kolkata side became the second team to be promoted to the league after Punjab FC last year. 

13 teams will fight it out for the six playoff spots so the competition will be even more fierce than last time. With teams needing to fight for every inch, every goal scored or conceded could have a huge impact on where the teams end up at the end of the season. 

While the teams have invested heavily in bolstering their attacks in the summer, the rearguard is going to be equally important for teams to fulfil their ambitions. 

Ahead of the longest ISL season in history so far, we take a look at the top defenders to watch out for and also evaluate their potential in ISL Fantasy.

Sandesh Jhingan (FC Goa)

Regarded as India’s best central defender, Jhingan missed a large part of the last season due to injury and was sorely missed by his club FC Goa and also the Indian national team. His return to full fitness is a big boost to head coach Manolo Maruez who now dons the duel hat of managing the Gaurs as well as the Blue Tigers. 

Known for his leadership skills at the back, Jhingan’s presence makes a world of difference for any team’s backline and with Odei Onaindia by his side, the duo can revive the partnership they formed at the start of last season when FC Goa went unbeaten. 

He will be hungry for more after his injury last year and is definitely one to keep an eye on. 

ISL Fantasy potential: Priced at Rs 5.5 crores, Jhingan is fairly priced given the consistency of minutes and performance that he offers. He isn’t a big goal threat so ISL Fantasy managers may look elsewhere but with additional points for passes completed and interceptions, Jhingan can be a very good asset. 

Rahul Bheke (Bengaluru FC)

The versatile Indian defender is back to a place where already enjoys a legendary status having scored the winner for the Blues in the ISL Cup 2018-19 final against FC Goa. 

He returns to the Sree Kanteerava stadium a much more mature player than when he left after captaining the Mumbai City FC to the League Shield and ISL Cup triumph. He also captained the Indian national team for the first time in his career in the Intercontinental Cup, so Bheke who can play as a right-back as well as a centre-back will be among the key defenders for Gerard Zaragoza. 

ISL Fantasy potential: Priced at just Rs 5 crore, Bheke can be a bargain especially if the Blues rediscover their defensive solidity. The Mumbai-born defender is a big threat on set-pieces and can be a really handy pick. 

Odei Onaindia (FC Goa)

A model of consistency, Onaindia has established himself as one of the best defenders to ever play in the ISL. He was FC Goa’s best player in their run to the semi-finals and has been incredibly consistent during his time in the ISL, firstly with Hyderabad FC and now with the Gaurs. 

Like Jhingan, the Spaniard is a leader at the back that can organise the whole team and is an excellent passer of the ball. Marquez will rely on him to build up play from the back and set thus initiating attacks as much as stopping opponent advances. 

ISL Fantasy potential: At Rs 5.5 crores, the Spanish defender may not be everyone’s top pick among the defenders at the back but points for successful passes added to the fray, he could become a very viable option, especially considering FC Goa could be a really hard unit to break down. 

Tiri (Mumbai City FC)

A true veteran in the ISL who continues to get better season after season. Tiri has been the backbone of all the teams that he has been a part of in the ISL. A two-time ISL Cup winner, the Spaniard was excellent at the back for the Islanders as they finished close second to Mohun Bagan SG in the league before going onto win the ISL Cup. 

With Bheke departing, Tiri would be tasked with marshalling the defence once again and making sure the team applied head coach Petr Kratky’s game plan. Bringing in a wealth of experience especially in the ISL, Tiri is always among the top defenders in the league. 

ISL Fantasy potential: At 5.5 crores, Tiri might be on the expensive side given his relatively low goal threat but the Islanders under Kratky have been really solid at the back and Tiri who is the first name on the team sheet can rack up clean sheet points for his owners. 

Amey Ranawade (Odisha FC)

A favourite of head coach Sergio Lobera, Ranawade has been a key cog in his teams right from FC Goa to Mumbai City FC and now with Odisha FC. He has the licence to bomb forward and join the attack and has been very effective in contributing to the attack. 

The full-back knows Lobera’s system inside out and is key in helping Odisha FC have continuity from last season when they reached the semi-finals for the first time. 

ISL Fantasy potential: Ranawade was the top scoring defender in ISL Fantasy and would be high in demand again this season with Odisha FC expected to get better in their second season under Lobera. He recorded six assists last season, the most by a defender and joint second-most for an Indian player. He is among the few ‘must-haves’ in your ISL Fantasy teams. 

Hector Yuste (East Bengal FC) 

All eyes will be on Yuste who has moved across the city lines to join East Bengal FC from rivals Mohun Bagan SG. The Spaniard has a very successful season with the Mariners as they won the League Shield and Yuste was one of the top performers for Antonio Habas’ men. 

A solid presence at the back, Yuste will add much-needed solidity at the back for Carles Cuadrat who would want to carry the Red and Gold brigade into the playoffs.

ISL Fantasy potential: Yuste was among the top ten for successful passes and top five for interceptions last season and thus can gain those extra points this season, making him an attractive option at Rs 5.5 crores. 

Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan SG)

The Mariners’ Mr Consistent has established himself as the top left-back in the country. He also can play as a centre-back and has shown the versatility to play in different positions in different systems. 

His performances have got better since he has been given the captain’s armband and leads by example. Bose is likely to be in the thick of things for the Mariners under new head coach Jose Molina who is known to put extra emphasis on defensive solidity.

ISL Fantasy potential: At just Rs 5 crore, Bose is an absolute steal playing for the defending champions. He was in the top ten for interceptions and the top five for passes completed last season and thus has so much more potential than just the clean sheet points.