Strikers and forwards hog most of the limelight in football and right so too as they are responsible for the most important thing in football: scoring a goal. The attacking third of the pitch is where the magic happens but one position on a football team cane make or break a team. The place between the sticks.

Goalkeeping is a thankless job in a way as one mistake can overshadow a string of top saves. However, goalkeepers can be a difference between a team that is successful and one that is not.

The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) has seen several top goalkeepers showcase their talent and save vital points for their teams in their respective quests for glory.

Here’s a look at the top five goalkeepers with most saves in Hero ISL history.

Amrinder Singh: 333 saves in 117 matches

The ATK Mohun Bagan custodian has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Hero ISL thanks to his consistency at the top level.

Amrinder made his Hero ISL debut with ATK FC in 2015 as he helped them reach the semi-finals. He then returned to the Hero ISL with Mumbai City FC in 2016 on loan from Bengaluru FC before making the move permanent ahead of the 2017-18 season. He spent four seasons with the Islanders helping them win the League Winners’ Shield and Hero ISL double as a captain in his final season with the club.

He later joined ATK Mohun Bagan helping them reach the semi-finals of Hero ISL 2021-22. Amrinder’s performances earned him a call-up to the Indian national team where he has been an integral part of the squad since.

Subrata Paul: 271 saves in 95 matches

The veteran Indian goalkeeper maybe in the twilight of his career but has had a steller Hero ISL career. Featuring majorly for Mumbai City FC and Jamshedpur FC, Paul has also had stints with NorthEast United FC, Hyderabad FC, SC East Bengal and ATK Mohun Bagan.

Well-known as the spiderman of India, Paul’s experience has been invaluable for the teams that he has played for. He won the Golden Glove award for Jamshedpur FC in Hero ISL 2017-18 season.

TP Rehenesh: 264 saves in 101 matches

TP Rehenesh has been the find of the Hero ISL. Having started his career as a relatively unknown youngster, Rehenesh has established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the country with his performances in the Hero ISL over the years.

Rehenesh impressed during his four-year reign with NorthEast United FC where he was one of the team’s most consistent players. He helped the team reach the semi-finals for the first time in Hero ISL 2018-19.

He later appeared for Kerala Blasters FC in Hero ISL 2019-20 before joining Jamshedpur FC.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu: 249 saves in 92 matches

India’s No 1 goalkeeper for many years, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has been phenomenal in the Hero ISL for Bengaluru FC helping them to a final in Hero ISL 2017-18 before being a big part of their Hero ISL winning team a year later.

Sandhu walked away with the Golden Glove award in 2018-19 and 2019-20 season where he produced a combined tally of 110 saves. No other goalkeeper has won more than one Golden Glove award in Hero ISL.

Laxmikant Kattimani: 247 saves from 81 matches

The hero for Hyderabad FC in the Hero ISL 2021-22 final where he delivered the goods in the penalty shootout against Kerala Blasters FC, Kattimani has slowly emerged as a top goalkeeper in the Hero ISL.

Having featured for FC Goa for majority of his Hero ISL career, Kattimani has the highest saver per game tally among the top five goalkeepers with the most saves in the tournament’s history.

Kattimani’s other asset is his ability on the ball which makes him the best goalkeeper in India according to Hyderabad FC head coach Manuel Marquez.