INDIAN ACES: ATK are banking on an army of tried and tested domestic players and partnerships

THE ISL IS NOT built for continuity. It's a short tournament, which encourages short player contracts, and it results in many teams changing a big number of players and coach every year. 

Atletico de Kolkata, from the very beginning, have tried to walk in a different direction. They stuck with their coach as long as they could, and even with the players it has been about holding onto players and sticking to combinations that worked. The Indian players in the squad have been as much a part of this as their foreigner counterparts, and the franchise's fairly successful record in the ISL so far would indicate that they are on the right track.

This year, when recruiting Indian players, ATK kept three things in mind. First, they wanted to go for proven talent. Second, they insisted on bringing people in from I-League clubs in pairs; so they would have two or more dependable players in the same department who have played with each other for a long time and have a pre-existing understanding between them. Third, they wanted names that would elicit a sense of loyalty from local fans - both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan supporters. Much of the composition of their Indian contingent ticks off all three boxes. And that could be key for the franchise to stay on track at a time when they have lost their very successful coach.

Let's take a look at some of the most important Indian players ATK have in their roster for ISL 2016, and the role they play in the team's grand scheme as they seek their second ISL title.