Inter Kashi to host Kerala Blasters in ISL 2026-27 opener at Balewadi on Oct 11
Inter Kashi FC will face Kerala Blasters FC in the opening match of the Indian Super League 2026-27 on 11 October 2026 at Balewadi Stadium in Pune, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 PM IST. Both clubs arrive having completed major squad overhauls and changes in ownership ahead of the season.
Balewadi Stadium will stage an ISL fixture for the first time in seven years. Kerala Blasters enter under coach Ashley Westwood after a less-than-ideal 2025-26 campaign, while Inter Kashi begin the season under Carlos Vaz Pinto; both sides are seeking a positive result in the opener to build momentum.
Inter Kashi made almost 16 new signings in the last couple of days and assembled a squad mixing young and experienced players despite prolonged legal issues, unavailability of a home venue, multiple registration bans and delays in finalising a new investment deal. The club completed its recruitment with a short pre-season, leaving many players without extensive match preparation.
Inter Kashi have no major injury concerns or suspensions reported ahead of the match but were hit with another transfer registration ban, which meant they missed out on two players and will field an all-Indian squad until the January transfer window. Kerala Blasters will be without defender Bikash Yumnam, who pulled a calf muscle in training and is expected to be sidelined for around a month; otherwise the Blasters’ squad is reported as fully fit.
The preview lists the following probable lineups: Albino Gomes (GK); Laldinliana Renthlei, Pratik Chaudhari, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Wayne Vaz; Rosenberg Gilbert Gabriel, Hitesh Sharma, Jitendra Singh, Manvir Singh; Sumeet Passi, Ayush Chhikara Amrinder Singh (GK); Naocha Singh, Aiban Dohling, James Bolton, Hormipam Ruivah; Nebojsa Kosovic, Freddy, Adrian Luna; Andre Green, Sreekuttan, Korou Singh
Albino Gomes has been identified as Inter Kashi’s key player; the preview notes his ISL experience with Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters FC, his record for saving the most penalties in the Indian Super League, and that he was the first goalkeeper to record 100 saves in a single ISL season while at Jamshedpur FC. The article adds that following a strong season he received multiple national team call-ups in the last year and that his shot-stopping will be important given Inter Kashi’s short pre-season.
Adrian Luna is highlighted as Kerala Blasters’ principal threat, described as the club’s longest-serving international and its third-highest-capped player with 87 appearances. The 34-year-old has been with the Blasters since the 2021-22 season, played a role in three consecutive playoff appearances, and has recorded 15 goals and 27 assists for the club, topping the club’s list for goal contributions; he returned to the Blasters after a loan stint at Persik last season and is back for his sixth season.
The fixture will be played on 11 October 2026 at Balewadi Stadium, Pune, with kick-off at 5:00 PM IST; the match will be broadcast live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD and streamed for free on YouTube.