On 8 December 2024, Dippendu Biswas played the full 90 minutes in an away match against NorthEast United, where the Green and Maroon brigade secured a 2-0 win. But after that, the 21-year-old was only on the bench for the next seven games.
Fast-forward to January 27, 2025, Bagan was facing Bengaluru FC. Fans were worried as Asish Rai was unavailable due to suspension. However, Spaniard Jose Molina showed faith in the youngster, and Dippendu proved him right as Bagan won 1-0.
Next up was the Derby against arch-rivals Mohammedan Sporting. Star defender Alberto Rodriguez was out with a niggle. Once again, Dippendu stepped up, partnered with Aldred, and helped Bagan secure a dominant 4-0 victory.
During yesterday’s clash, Alberto returned, but this time, Aldred was suspended. Once again, Dippendu partnered with Alberto and played a key role in Mohun Bagan’s commanding 3-0 win over Punjab FC.
This emphatic win in front of the home crowd brings the Mariners closer to the ISL Shield. They now have 46 points from 20 matches as they aim to win back-to-back shields. Australian star Jamie Maclaren scored a brace, while Liston Colaco added another to his tally. But it was the young defender from West Bengal who stole the limelight with his brilliant defensive and attacking display.
For any centre-back, playing alongside different partners every other week is not easy. Communication and understanding are keys to a strong defensive unit. But Dippendu has handled that challenge with maturity, delivering outstanding performances.
For the Latest Sports News: Click Here
After the match, skipper Subhasish Bose praised him, saying: “Whenever Dippendu gets an opportunity, he gives his best. He is a mature player now, and the future is bright.” Notably, Subhasish himself has been superb this season, with six goals and one assist to his name.
Dippendu also spoke about his approach. He said his only focus is to give his best for the team and help them get three points whenever he gets a chance. In recent years, clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting have struggled to field local Bengali players—often called “sons of the soil.” Fans frequently question why these clubs are not investing in homegrown talent.
Historically, Bengali players played a crucial role in these clubs’ success and even dominated the Indian national team. But now, the numbers have dropped significantly. Bose remains the only Bengali player who regularly features for the national team.
However, Dippendu’s performances this season have been outstanding. In yesterday’s game, he provided a beautiful assist—crossing the ball for Maclaren’s goal. Just moments before that, he made a brilliant sliding tackle to stop Punjab’s Argentine star, Pulga Vidal, from scoring.
He won the ball, recovered quickly, sprinted down the flank, and delivered a perfect cross. His commitment and hunger to contribute in both defence and attack were evident. Apart from that, he made several crucial blocks, put his body on the line, and showed great strength to win duels against Punjab’s attackers.
Mohun Bagan’s general secretary, Debashis Dutta, also praised Dippendu. He assured fans that the club is committed to producing more “sons of the soil” in the future but asked for patience.
Before the season began, Bagan fans were disappointed when star Indian defender Anwar Ali made a controversial switch to arch-rivals East Bengal. In response, Molina brought in foreign defenders Tom Aldred and Alberto Rodriguez. Initially, they faced some challenges, but now, they have formed a solid partnership.
Since Dippendu is primarily a centre-back, he has struggled to get regular opportunities. Young players rarely get consistent chances in a star-studded team like Mohun Bagan. But, regardless of the sport, young players must be ready to prove themselves when given an opportunity—and that is exactly what Dippendu has done.
So far, he has played 10 ISL matches this season, helping Bagan keep seven clean sheets. He has mostly played as a centre-back but has also filled in as a right-back. He has also contributed one goal and two assists. His goal was an equaliser against NorthEast United at the Salt Lake Stadium. Eventually, Bagan won that game 3-2.
With Alberto fit and Aldred available for the next game, it remains to be seen if Dippendu will get another chance. It will be a tough decision for Molina to drop him after such strong performances when the team were in crisis.
Mohun Bagan’s fans, though, now know they have a “son of the soil” who is ready to give his all for the club. Hopefully, he will continue to shine in many more games to come and inspire the upcoming local talents to dream big.
Also Read: Can Punjab halt Mohun Bagan’s Juggernaut?