Inter Kashi v Kerala Blasters: ISL 2026-27 opener lineups and pre-match updates
Inter Kashi FC and Kerala Blasters FC meet in the opening fixture of the Indian Super League 2026-27 at Balewadi Stadium in Pune on 11 October 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 PM IST. The match is the first ISL fixture at Balewadi Stadium in seven years.
Both clubs entered the new season on the back of extensive squad overhauls and changes in investor groups. Kerala Blasters are managed by Ashley Westwood and Inter Kashi by Carlos Vaz Pinto, the former Sreenidi Deccan coach. The article states both sides resolved most of the obstacles they faced months earlier and are prepared for the new campaign after difficult previous periods. Kerala did not have the best season in ISL 2025-26, while both clubs intend to use the opener to start positively.
Inter Kashi’s path to the 2026-27 ISL was interrupted by legal issues, the unavailability of a home venue, multiple registration bans and delays in finalising their investment deal, according to the report. Despite those problems, the club completed almost 16 new signings in the days before the season and built a squad featuring a mix of young and experienced players. The source notes most Inter Kashi players have come into the match without a full preseason, and the club’s immediate priority is to avoid starting the season with a loss.
The article describes Kerala Blasters’ situation as ironic: placed fourth in the all-time ISL points table and among the teams with the highest market value on paper, the Blasters still have an empty trophy cabinet. It adds they are the only side in the top ten of the all-time standings without a trophy. Under what the piece calls the Al Fursan era, Kerala have made significant squad changes with many additions selected by Ashley Westwood, and the club will target the ISL trophy in 2026-27.
On availability, Inter Kashi are reported to have no major injury concerns or suspensions but have been hit by another transfer registration ban that cost them two players; the club 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, while the rest of their squad is described as completely fit.
The confirmed match-day line-ups provided in the piece list the following players. Kerala Blasters: 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. Inter Kashi: Amrinder Singh (GK); Naocha Singh, Aiban Dohling, James Bolton, Hormipam Ruivah; Nebojsa Kosovic, Freddy, Adrian Luna; Andre Green, Sreekuttan, Korou Singh.
The ISL 2026-27 opener between Inter Kashi FC and Kerala Blasters FC will be played on 11 October 2026 at Balewadi Stadium, Pune with a 5:00 PM IST kickoff; the match will be broadcast on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD and streamed for free on YouTube.
