Kerala Blasters FC defender Prabir Das picks his all-time ISL playing XI
The team features four players from West Bengal, Das’ home state, along with some well-known overseas names like Tiri and Ian Hume.
Full-back Prabir Das stands as one of the few active players who have been a part of the Indian Super League (ISL) since its inception. With over 100 appearances in the league, Das has made a name for himself in the ISL. His journey has taken him from an up-and-coming youngster striving to prove himself to a seasoned defender with remarkable leadership skills.
Over the course of 10 seasons, Das has donned the jerseys of six different ISL teams: FC Goa (on loan), Delhi Dynamos (on loan), ATK, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Bengaluru FC, and his current team, Kerala Blasters FC. He has been part of four ISL finals, clinching the coveted Cup twice. His dual ISL Cup triumphs came with ATK in 2016 and then in the 2019-20 season. He was also a pivotal part of Mohun Bagan SG’s squad that finished runners-up in the 2020-21 final and the Bengaluru FC squad under Simon Grayson that made an impressive run to the final in the 2022-23 season.
Das has shared the field with some exceptionally talented players, both international and domestic, and now, the defender has thoughtfully put together a list of his all-time best playing eleven, which, naturally, includes himself. The team features four players from West Bengal, Das’ home state, along with some well-known overseas names like Tiri and Ian Hume.
Here is Prabir Das' all-time ISL playing eleven.
A team to be reckoned with! 👊@KeralaBlasters defender @ImPrabirDas names his all-time #ISL XI! 📋#ISL10 #LetsFootball #ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #PrabirDas | @Sports18 pic.twitter.com/X5olZOdQIX
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 15, 2023
Goalkeeper
Debjit Majumder
Majumder, currently plying his trade with Chennaiyin FC, is a seasoned goalkeeper with over 50 ISL appearances. He was Das' teammate at ATK and Mohun Bagan SG and was part of ATK’s ISL Cup-winning squad in 2016.
Defenders
Prabir Das
Das has chosen himself for the right full-back position. With three different ISL teams, he has reached the final and played a significant role wherever he has played.
Sandesh Jhingan
Indian international Jhingan is another player who has been with the ISL since its foundation in 2014 and now plays for FC Goa. The defender made a name for himself at Kerala Blasters FC before representing Mohun Bagan SG and Bengaluru FC. He was Das' teammate at Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC.
Tiri
Before joining Mumbai City FC, defender Tiri represented three different ISL clubs - ATK FC, Jamshedpur FC, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant. He won the ISL Cup in 2016 with Das at ATK, and the duo also played together at Mohun Bagan SG.
Narayan Das
Full-back Das is another member of the 100-plus appearances club in the ISL and has played for five different clubs. Originally from Tribeni in West Bengal, Das is currently a part of FC Goa. He was part of FC Goa’s 2014 ISL squad alongside Prabir.
Midfielders
Sameehg Doutie
South African attacker Doutie made a significant impression during his brief stint in India, playing for clubs like ATK and later Jamshedpur FC. He played alongside Das at ATK and also lifted the ISL Cup with the Kolkata side in 2016.
Pronay Halder
Defensive midfielder Halder has been a part of the ISL since 2015 and represented five different clubs. He won the ISL Cup with ATK FC in 2019-20 and then the League Shield with his current club, Jamshedpur FC during the 2020-21 season. He shared the pitch with Das at ATK FC and later at Mohun Bagan SG.
Souvik Chakrabarti
Midfielder Chakrabarti from East Bengal FC joins Halder in the middle of the park. Having been with the league since its inception, the Kolkata-born player has represented five different clubs. He was part of Delhi Dynamos’ 2015 squad alongside Das.
Lallianzuala Chhangte
India international Chhangte is the only player in this list who hasn't played alongside Das. The Golden Ball winner from last season has been involved with five different ISL clubs and currently represents Mumbai City FC.
Forwards
Roy Krishna
Krishna and Das share a strong bond on and off the pitch, their unique goal celebrations being a testament to their camaraderie. Das and Krishna played together at ATK FC, where they won the ISL Cup. They later reunited at Mohun Bagan SG and then at Bengaluru FC during the 2022-23 season.
Iain Hume
Canadian attacker Hume is one of the most prolific forwards to grace the ISL, earning admiration for his time at Kerala Blasters FC and ATK FC. He and Das secured the ISL Cup together at ATK in 2016 and later faced each other as opponents when Hume played for Kerala Blasters FC once more and then FC Pune City.
Head coach
Antonio Lopez Habas
It comes as no surprise that Das has chosen Habas as his all-time favorite head coach. They formed a successful partnership, winning two ISL Cups at ATK FC and Das thrived as an attacking full-back under the guidance of the Spaniard. Later, they reunited at Mohun Bagan SG. Das experienced his best season under Habas during their ISL-Cup triumph in 2019-20, where he contributed five assists, the joint-most by any defender that season.