Bengaluru FC recently accomplished one of the biggest achievements ever by an Indian football club when it made to the final of the AFC Cup. Despite the loss, the Bengaluru players won hearts across the nation as people tuned in to watch their historic encounter. Fans will have another opportunity to watch their heroes as some of them will now join their respective teams in Hero ISL 2016, providing a big shot in the arm.Mumbai City FC will benefit the most with them welcoming four players into their squads. The colossus of Indian football, Sunil Chhetri joins their ranks along with Amrinder Singh, Udanta Singh and Lalchhuanmawia Fanai. Sunil has been a talismanic presence in Indian football, and he proved his calibre with seven goals to become the top Indian goal-scorer in the league last year. His leadership qualities, along with his poaching abilities, will greatly help Mumbai.Amrinder had a stellar ISL 2015, coming second in the Golden Glove award race. He will bring an assured presence in the back. Meanwhile, Udanta will add more pace to midfield and his already solid understanding with Chhetri will reap fortunes, and not to mention that the towering Fanai adds a new dimension to Mumbai’s defence.CK Vineeth and Rino Anto add more depth to a Kerala Blasters FC side who are hoping to redeem their faltering season. In Vineeth, they have a player who can play on both sides of the pitch. The pacey midfielder also has a reputation for scoring goals as well as providing opportunities. The 28-year-old Anto, on the other hand, will be appearing for his home side after playing for Atlético de Kolkata last year and will be raring to showcase his skills at the back.Eugeneson Lyngdoh fetched an impressive Rs 1.05 crore in the Hero ISL auction last year, and he repaid the faith with goals and assists in his debut season for FC Pune City. The 30-year-old has been in good form for Bengaluru and he just might be the spark that the Stallions need to reignite their push to the semis.Atlético de Kolkata, meanwhile, see the return of Keegan Pereira. The 28-year-old, who made his national team debut in a 6-1 thumping of Laos earlier this year, will be a vital addition to the team. His experience and accurate passing gives the team a much-needed option in the left-back area.Elsewhere, the attacking midfielder Alwyn George adds more potency to the Delhi Dynamos FC forward line. He has proven himself on the big stage having scored a brace in the AFC Cup and is blessed with natural pace. The 24-year-old will also benefit from playing alongside Florent Malouda and Richard Gadze.The young Salam Ranjan Singh brings his towering presence to NorthEast United FC. The 20-year-old has won the I-League, Federation Cup and U-20 I-League in his short career and will sure make his ISL debut soon. Lastly, defending champions Chennaiyin FC will have back the young Anrirudh Thapa in their squad. However, Thapa has no connection with Bengaluru FC and joins the Super Machans as a replacement for the injured Dhanachandra Singh. The 18-year-old has been a regular for India between the age groups of U-14 and U-19. One of five AIFF Elite Academy products, he was sponsored by Chennaiyin FC for a developmental stint at French side FC Metz.Thus, we can safely say that the Hero Indian Super League welcomes an exciting bunch of talented individuals, individuals at the front, at the middle as well as the back of the park. Some with great amount of experience, while others with the raw energy of youth. From a legend in Indian football to the next big thing, players who will surely come to the forefront and shine bright with their scintillating displays. Watch out for them.
