The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) has seen some sizzling goals, great midfield moves and equally stupendous goalkeeping. The defending has also stood out and it’s often the centre backs who have made the most telling contribution to their team’s fortunes. Most head coaches identified their leading men at the start of the tournament and have stuck with the same central defensive partnership throughout the tournament, regardless of the results. Others have opted to tweak the partnership from time to time to enable rotation and freshness in the backline. Here are the leading five central defensive partnerships in the ISL so far going by the combined stats of the duos or trio in the case of Kerala Blasters FC:

1. 1. Cédric Hengbart & Gurwinder Singh & Colin Falvey (Kerala Blasters FC)

Hengbart, 34, has plied his trade in France mostly as right back but has become the key stopper back for David James’ team. Kerala have partnered him with either Gurwinder or Irishman Colin Falvey. The Kochi-based side have managed to keep four clean sheets.

1. 2. Bruno Cirillo & Daniele Magliocchetti (FC Pune City)

The all-Italian central defensive pairing has clicked for Franco Colomba as they’ve kept four clean sheets. The highly experienced Cirillo has represented top clubs like Internazionale, AEK Athens and Levante. His positioning and awareness is superb and with a league high of 49 interceptions, he has impressed. He has formed an effective partnership with the tough Magliochetti.

1. 3. Youness Bengelloun & Grégory Arnolin (FC Goa)

Zico has fielded an all-French central defensive pairing in all of Goa’s matches so far. Arnolin, who has represented Martinique, and the charismatic Bengelloun have scored two goals each and are the top scoring defensive partnership in the league. They also are the league’s best tacklers. But they have managed just two clean sheets, both against Mumbai City FC.

1. 4. Miguel Garcia & Joan Capdevila (NorthEast United FC)

World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, marquee player Joan Capdevila moved into the heart of defence from his usual left back position to spark an effective partnership with Portuguese Miguel Garcia, originally a right back. They have maintained four clean sheets. Having been handed the captain’s armband, Garcia has impressed with a tournament high 42 interceptions.

1. 5. Arnab Mondal & Jose Miguel Gonzalez Rey [Josemi] (Atlético de Kolkata)

Antonio López Habas has fielded this set pairing in all matches and they have responded with three clean sheets for the league leaders. The Indian international is the more physical of the two with the ability to put in tackles and break up play. The technically proficient Spaniard complements him with his good reading of the game and positional sense.