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The dynamic landscape of Indian football is on the cusp of a new era and set to be carried forward by a generation of young talent. Finding the most promising U-21 footballers in India is the key, as they are the ones who will decide where we stand next.
Let's take a look at some special youngsters who are not only catching the eye of coaches, but are also inspiring the youth with their skill, dedication and ambition.
Suhail Ahmad Bhat (20 years)
- Born: 8 April 2005, Jammu and Kashmir
- Position: Centre-Forward
- Current team: Mohun Bagan SG
Suhail Ahmad Bhat is a 20-year-old promising young talent, who has quickly become a name to watch in Indian football. He made his mark with the Indian Arrows, and his progress led him to Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
He has consistently proved his ability to find the net and did well across various competitions like the Durand Cup, CFL, and Super Cup. His journey began with early recognition, even being featured by The Guardian as one of the best young talents globally born in 2005.
Suhail already represented India in U-16 (where he scored on his debut match) and U-23 level. He also recently got called up for the senior India national team and debuted in 2025.
Read Also: Top scorers in ISL history
Joseph Sunny (21 years)
- Born: 13 October 2003, Kerala
- Position: Forward
- Current team: Hyderabad FC
Joseph Sunny is a tall attacking striker who has emerged as a key player for Hyderabad FC. His strength lies in his style of play, which turns out to be really impactful for the team. He played in tournaments like the Kalinga Super Cup and I-League and made his ISL debut in the 2023-24 season.
Sunny has made his deserving spot in the playing XI for Hyderabad, featuring in most of their matches. His ISL performances highlighted his eagerness to contribute to the team and also his rising stature.
Korou Singh Thingujam (18 years)
- Born: 3 December 2006, Manipur
- Position: Second Striker, Right Winger
- Current Team: Kerala Blasters FC
Korou Singh Thingujam has rapidly risen through the ranks at Kerala Blasters FC, showcasing exceptional skill as a second striker. He initially made an impact by scoring on his debut with the reserve team, and then quickly earned his spot in the senior team.
His ISL debut in 2024 made him one of the youngest players to do so. He also got an extension of contract for Kerala Blasters till 2029, which highlights the team's faith in his abilities.
Korou was a part of the Indian U-17 team that won the 2022 SAFF U-17 Championship, and even scored in the final. He also got to play for the U-20 side in 2024, scoring 1 goal in 5 appearances.
Mohammed Sanan (21 years)
- Born: 5 April 2004, Kerala
- Position: Left Winger
- Current Team: Jamshedpur FC
Mohammed Sanan is a talented young left-winger, who emerged from the Reliance Foundation Young Champs' (RFYC) academy. His strong foundation saw him get a long-term deal with Jamshedpur FC.
Sanan quickly made his way to the senior team, starting with the Durand Cup and later making it to the ISL. He is the most reliable young performer in the team, who also appeared in two games for the India U-23 team in his international career.
Read Also: Top 5 Indian Players to Watch in ISL 2025
Bikash Yumnam (21 years)
- Born: 6 September 2003, Manipur
- Position: Centre Back
- Current team: Kerala Blasters FC
Bikash Yumnam is a 21-year-old solid centre-back who has established himself as a decent defensive presence. He has gained experience playing for clubs like Chennaiyin FC and Punjab FC, before joining Kerala Blasters FC.
He seems to constantly develop his game, along with focusing on positioning, tackling, and aerial abilities.
Bikash was a part of the 2022 SAFF U-20 Championship winning squad of India and was also a part of the U-16 team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 AFC U-18 Championship in Malaysia.
Tekcham Abhishek Singh (20 years)
- Born: 2 January 2005, Manipur
- Position: Left back
- Current team: Punjab FC
Tekcham Abhishek Singh is a highly praised left-back, known for his defensive solidity and energetic run. His journey began at Minerva Academy, from where he moved to Punjab FC and became a crucial part of the team.
Abhishek's impressive ISL performance led to a tug-of-war between major Kolkata clubs for his signature, ultimately leading his move to Mohun Bagan SG. He will soon be joining their side and will continue to play brilliant football.
After playing for the U-20 and U-23 Indian teams, he got a call-up to the senior national team under coach Manolo Marquez. He has already made his debut with the team and has a long way to go.
Nikhil Barla (21 years)
- Born: 5 August 2003, Jharkhand
- Position: Right Back
- Current team: Jamshedpur FC
Nikhil Barla is a 21-year-old emerging talent who trained at the prestigious TATA Football Academy. He began his journey with Jamshedpur FC's youth and reserve teams, where he worked tremendously hard to transition into the senior squad.
Barla quickly became an integral part of their defence and gained significant experience playing in the ISL. This hardworking boy is steadily climbing towards his dream with immense discipline and dedication.
His consistent performance earned him a place in India's U-23 probable squad, and there's more to come!
Vinith Venkatesh (19 years)
- Born: 31 July 2005, Bengaluru
- Position: Midfielder
- Current team: Bengaluru FC
Vinith Venkatesh made his senior debut in the 2024 Durand Cup for Bengaluru FC, where he also scored against Mohun Bagan SG in the semi-finals. He made his ISL debut in the same year, potentially growing his skills while playing alongside experienced footballers.
Bengaluru FC is a club known for youth development, and the inclusion of a talented youngster like Vinith makes the vision for the future even brighter. As a midfielder, he contributes to ball distribution, tackling, and both offensive and defensive transitions.
Sahil Poonia (19 years)
- Born: 8 March 2006, Haryana
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Current team: Bengaluru FC
Sahil Poonia is another 19-year-old young talent who represents Bengaluru FC as a goalkeeper. He hails from Haryana and has worked really hard to come his far and keep up with the dynamic football world.
Poonia has already featured for India at various youth levels, including U-17, U-20, and U-23 teams, which is a strong indicator of his potential as a future national team goalkeeper.
Singamayum Shami (18 years)
- Born: 18 April 2007, Manipur
- Position: Midfielder
- Current team: Punjab FC
Singamayum Shami is a highly exciting attacking midfielder for Punjab FC. He swiftly made his mark in his flourishing career and became the youngest goalscorer in the history of ISL (at 17 years) in 2025.
Shami had an exceptional ability to handle pressure and even score at those times. He was a part of the India U-20 team that won the SAFF U-20 Championship in 2025. Not only was he a key part of the team, but also earned the most valuable player award of the tournament.
Gurnaj Singh Grewal (18 years)
- Born: 9 January 2007, Punjab
- Position: Midfielder
- Current team: East Bengal FC
Gurnaj Singh Grewal is a promising midfielder who has been a part of the youth setup at East Bengal FC. He has an amazing ability to control the tempo of the game and initiate offensive plays.
He has contributed to East Bengal's reserve squad, contributing to their success, including winning the Calcutta Football League 2024-25. Internationally, he represented India at the U-17 and U-19 levels and was a part of the SAFF U-19 Championship-winning squad.