Everyone in the India squad except Som Kumar is involved in the new season of the Indian Super League (ISL). Once, he was part of it too but his involvement now with the top men’s club competition in India is restricted to following the games of Kerala Blasters.
In terms of following, the grind of 16-team second division league in Slovenia is far removed from ISL but the 21-year-old goalkeeper who idolises Gianluigi Donnarumma is sure he has got his priorities right. After joining on a four-year contract in 2024, Kumar played four games with Kerala Blasters when he got an opportunity to return to central Europe. If I could play ISL at 19, I’m sure that I can find a team in the future if needed. We would have 15-20 minutes with the goalkeepers’ coach and then join the rest of the team. The son of former badminton players who live in Bengaluru, Kumar was 14 when he moved to Slovenia, the country of former Inter Milan goalie Samir Handanovic and whose national football team is led by Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak.
Because he knew how it is over here, he had also played in Europe, so, I think we had a bit of a bond there.
“For me, it was very clear,” he told HT in a video call from his apartment that is three minutes away from the Stozice Stadium where the national team plays. That it’s not easy to be playing in Europe,” said Kumar. Training for India and at his club was different, said Kumar. He didn’t play but in the run-up to the friendlies, India head coach Khalid Jamil had told HT that Kumar had improved since going to Slovenia. “We are looking for this type of player,” Jamil had said. “I gave a trial with one the clubs and got in,” he said.
“I think this is the age where you can try and play abroad. I have an opportunity to grow in Europe. So, no, I don’t miss playing in the ISL now. “When I joined Blasters, it was the best move that I could get. And then, six months in, I had an offer from Europe and it was clear that I wanted to leave. “I got quite close to him. He knows that it’s cold. “And then, to be in that environment and learn from such an experienced goalkeeper was a really important thing for me. “At national camps, you don’t have much time. That’s how every national team works. Here, I am working daily with a coach who has played in the Champions League. I am getting better on a daily basis. Right now, that’s all I need. Kumar trains with former Slovenia keeper Damir Botonjic. This was his Kumar’s first call-up for India. That was for the youth team of Bravo in the PrvaLiga.
As the first round of the ISL drew to a close on Wednesday, Kumar was back in Ljubljana training with ND Slovan for Saturday’s game against Rudar Velenje.
