After 38 matches in Hero Indian Super League 2016, it’s still anyone’s game in the battle to reach the semis with all eight teams still in contention of breaking into the top 4. As we approach the business end of the league stage, matches are now becoming increasingly stretched and more open with both sides playing for a result. In fact, the six games in the last game week saw the back of the net ripple 20 times at an average of 3.33 goals per game, which is also the most for any game week this season.

Another development seen in November and accentuated over the course of the last week is the number of Indians that are finding the back of net. Out of the 80 goals scored so far this season, 19 (23.75%) have been scored by domestic players. While the proportion is lower than Hero ISL 2015’s 28.28%, it is more than Hero ISL 2014’s 16.46% at the same stage of the season. Interestingly though 12 of the 19 strikes by Indians have come in the month of November, nine of which have come in the last week itself. Here we have a look at the domestic players who are making their presence felt in Hero ISL 2016.

CK Vineeth

CK Vineeth’s inspirational presence has transformed Kerala Blasters FC into serious title contenders this year after a slow start to the season. The local boy from Kerala has been at the centre of all things good for Kerala of late and has helped his side earn six points in 112 minutes of football for the Blasters so far. He scored a dramatic late winner against FC Goa before bagging a brace against Chennaiyin FC as he scripted their stunning comeback victory against the reigning champions in the second south Indian derby of the season. He averages a goal every 37.3 minutes, which is the best in Hero ISL 2016.

Kean Lewis

One of the revelations this year, Kean Lewis has been an important cog in Delhi Dynamos FC’s free-scoring side. Delhi have scored more goals in this year (18) than their combined total in the past two seasons (15) after 38 matches. Lewis has been involved in five of those goals providing two assists, while also finding the back of the net thrice. He is also the highest rated domestic player in the league with an average ISL 2016 rating of 7.54 and along with Vineeth are the top scoring Indians this season.

Milan Singh

Another gem unearthed by the Lions this year, Milan Singh seems to have taken on the mantle of being one of Delhi’s midfield generals with a minimum of fuss. His two goals for the Dynamos this season give us an indication of the quality the box-to-box midfielder possesses. If his well-taken 79th minute equaliser against FC Pune City wasn’t enough, his screamer against Atlético de Kolkata in the 2-2 draw in Delhi will certainly make the rest of the league sit up and take notice of Delhi’s diminutive midfielder. With an average ISL 2016 rating of 7.02, only Lewis is above him in player ratings for domestic players from Delhi.

Romeo Fernandes

After a slow start to the season, Romeo Fernandes and FC Goa finally seem to be finding their feet as the league stage nears conclusion. The pacey winger from Goa, like the rest of his teammates had a slow start to the season to put their semis hopes in serious jeopardy. However, a scintillating display in their last match by the local boy from Goa seems to have reinvigorated the Gaurs and put them back in semis contention. Goa fell behind to a Seityasen Singh goal before Romeo took over and set up Robin Singh for the equaliser and then scored the winner himself in the dying moments of the game. With an average ISL 2016 rating of 7.04, Fernandes is the highest rated domestic talent within the Gaur ranks.