I-League 2023-24: All that you need to know
The 2023-24 I-League season will commence on October 28 with Real Kashmir FC hosting Rajasthan United. The second-tier league in Indian football is bigger and better this year with 13 participating teams. It will be another exciting battle for the crown between teams from all over the country. Some of them will make their debut this season while the others are the usual suspects.
Inter Kashi and Namdhari FC are the new corporate entries
Atletico Madrid-backed Inter Kashi and Punjab-based outfit, Namdhari FC are the two corporate entries into the I-League this season. Both teams will have immunity from relegation for the first few years. Mumbai's Kenkre FC and Sudeva Delhi have been relegated while Delhi FC and Shillong Lajong have gained promotion after finishing in the top two of the 2022-23 Second Division League.
A look at the league format
The 2023-24 I-League will see the 13 teams in a home and away round-robin format. A total of 156 games will be played which will see each club play 24 matches. The club finishing at the top of the table after 24 rounds will be declared as the 2023-24 I-League champion and will gain promotion to the ISL (subject to club licensing).
Teams allowed to register five foreigners
I-League teams are allowed to register five foreign players for the upcoming season but they are only allowed to field three of them at a time. There won't be any AFC player quota requirements for the club to follow.
Dempo SC are the record I-League champions
The competition was founded in 2007 as a successor to the National Football League. Since its inception, seven teams have won the I-League crown. However, Dempo SC are the most successful team with three titles. Churchill Brothers, Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan and Gokulam Kerala have won the title twice. Whereas Minerva Punjab, Salgaocar, Aizawl FC, Chennai City and Roundglass Punjab have won it once.
Ranti Martins still leads the goal-scoring charts
Nigerian striker Ranti Martins is the leading goal-scorer in the competition with 214 goals. His compatriot Odafa Okolie is in second position with 179 goals followed by Yusif Yakubu's tally of 147 goals. Chidi Edeh has also slammed home 104 goals. Lastly, Mohun Bagan legend Jose Ramirez Barreto has returned with 101 goals. These are the only five players to score 100-plus goals (I-League).
Highest Indian goal-scorer
Sunil Chhetri is the highest Indian goal-scorer in the I-League with 94 goals. He surpassed Bhaichung Bhutia's tally of 89 goals. They are the only two Indians with 50-plus I-League goals. RC Prakash is third on the Indian tally with 49 goals.
More records associated with the I-League
Ranti's six goals against Air India in the 2010-11 season is the most a player has scored in a single match. The Nigerian scored 32 goals for Dempo in the 2011-12 season, the highest tally by any player in a single season. Katsumi Yusa's goal in 13 seconds versus Churchill Brothers is the fastest goal scored in I-League (2018-19). Odafa owns most hat-tricks (13).
Mohun Bagan owns the longest winning streak in the I-League
Salgaocar's 18 wins in the 2010-11 season are the most wins accumulated by a team. Mohun Bagan amassed a winning streak of 10 games in the 2008-09 season, the longest winning streak. Gokulam Kerala are the only team to win two consecutive I-League titles (2020-21, 2021-22). Dempo (2007-08) and Churchill Brothers (2008-09) hold the joint record of fewest losses in a season (2 defeats).
A look at the schedule of the 2023-24 I-League
The new season will start on October 28 with Rajashtan United and Real Kashmir in action. Matches will have three timings: 2:00pm, 4:30pm and 7:00pm (all IST). Only half of the fixtures, till matchday 12 are announced, which ends on December 24. A maximum of two games will be played in a single day.
