Ball possession has acquired a great significance in contemporary football, and the best teams in the world are those that dominate the ball.

The teams in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) have also been in tune with the global trend in recent years with most teams adopting a possession-based style of football.

At heart of this assertive brand of football are players that are an embodiment of the style of football the teams play. They pick up the ball and start the passing moves. They dictate the tempo and make a team tick.

Over the years, there have been many players who have enriched the Hero ISL with their silky passing skills.

Here is a look at the players with the most number of passes in the Hero ISL.

Ahmed Jahouh (Mumbai City FC)

Mumbai City FC’s midfielder Ahmed Jahouh has attempted the highest number of passes by an individual in the history of Hero ISL. His ability to retain the ball and find his teammates with pin-point passes has added solidity to the Mumbai City FC’s midfield. 

Earlier, he was a pivotal figure for FC Goa who were a constant presence in the top four under Sergio Lobera. 

He has registered 6935 passes, at an accuracy of 77.3% in Hero ISL history.

Edu Bedia (FC Goa)

FC Goa have been one of the most attractive teams to watch in Hero ISL history. Edu Bedia has certainly contributed to that with his craft. The Spanish midfielder has attempted 5733 passes and averages 65.9 passes per game and has maintained an 81.7% passing accuracy while scoring 10 goals and 13 assists for FC Goa in the Hero ISL. 

Lenny Rodrigues (ATK Mohun Bagan)

Lenny Rodrigues has played for several Hero ISL clubs and every team has benefited from his guile in the middle of the park. AT ATK Mohun Bagan, he has been played as a defensive midfielder and has slotted well into the role.

Over the course of his career, where he has represented FC Pune City, Bengaluru FC and FC Goa apart from the Mariners, he has been a consistent performer. He has played 125 games and has attempted 5227 passes in the Hero ISL.

Rodrigues averages 41 passes a game and has an 81.9% passing accuracy in the Hero ISL.

Narayan Das (Chennaiyin FC)

The Indian full-back is the only defender in the top five in this chart. With 4697 passes, Das has always been a key player in helping his team progress the ball up field.

Fluidity in passing the ball from the back enabled Chennaiyin FC’s s quick transition from defense to attack this season but he has been constant on the team sheet wherever he has been.

Having played for six different clubs - FC Goa, FC Pune City, Delhi Dynamos, Odisha FC, SC East Bengal and Chennaiyin FC in the league, he has maintained his consistency despite the different systems in place at each of the teams. He has a passing accuracy of 69.17% in Hero ISL history.

Harmanjot Khabra (Kerala Blasters FC)

Harmanjot Khabra has a habit of winning titles for whichever club he plays for. He won the Hero ISL with Chennaiyin FC in 2015 and Bengaluru FC in 2018-19 and is one of the best midfielders in the Hero ISL.

He is known for his tenacity but his ability on the ball is equally good. He has attempted 4466 passes in the Hero ISL. Averaging 36 passes per game, he has an accuracy of 71.6%.