Nishu Kumar Tashni (born 5 November 1997) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Indian Super League club East Bengal.

Nishu Kumar
Nishu with Kerala Blasters in 2021
Personal information
Full name Nishu Kumar [1]
Date of birth (1997-11-05) 5 November 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Full-back
Team information
Current team
East Bengal
Youth career
2009–2011 Chandigarh Football Academy
2011–2015 AIFF Elite Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2020 Bengaluru 55 (6)
2020–2024 Kerala Blasters 37 (1)
2023–2024East Bengal (loan) 20 (0)
2024– East Bengal 0 (0)
International career
2015 India U19 8 (0)
2017 India U23 3 (0)
2018–2019 India 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:51, 19 November 2019 (UTC)

Club career

edit

Youth career: 2009–2015

edit

Nishu Kumar began his career with Chandigarh Football Academy.[3] In 2011, he was selected for AIFF Elite Academy[4] as a part of Tata Tea & Inter Milan Soccer Stars talent hunt.[5] He was the called up for India national under-20 football team to participate in the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship qualification.[6][7]

Bengaluru FC: 2015–2020

edit

On 17 November 2015, Nishu Kumar was signed by Bengaluru along with two fellow AIFF Elite Academy cadets, Daniel Lalhlimpuia and Malsawmzuala, in two years deal with an option to extend for one more year.[8] He represented the club at 2015–16 Bangalore Super Division.[9] Nishu made his debut for the club in 2016 AFC Cup against Ayeyawady United on 13 April 2016, which Bengaluru FC won 5–3.[10] He made his league debut against Mohun Bagan in the final game of the 2015-16 season on 23 April 2016, which Bengaluru lost the game for 5–0. Bengaluru was crowned the league champions of the seas, which helped Nishu securing his first trophy in his career.[11] Nishu was kept for the 2016-17 I-League season.[12] He played his first match of the season on 18 January 2017 in a 3–0 victory over Mumbai FC.[13] Nishu played his first continental match of the season as a substitute in the 2017 AFC Cup match on 4 April in Bengaluru's 0–1 victory over Maziya S&RC.[14] He scored his debut goal for the club in the 2017 AFC Cup match against Abahani Limited Dhaka on 18 April, which they ended up winning 2–0.[15] He played his last league match of the season on 22 April against DSK Shivajians, which ended with a massive score of 7–0 for Bengaluru.[16] In the following year, Bengaluru moved to Indian Super League from I-League as one of the two new entries.[17] Nishu was kept in the squad to compete in the 2017-18 Indian Super League season.[18] Nishu played his first match of the season and in ISL overall against Delhi Dynamos[broken anchor] (present Odisha FC) as a substitute on 26 November 2017, which ended in a 4–1 victory for Bengaluru.[19] He played his first continental match of the season in the 2018 AFC Cup match against Transport United on 23 January 2018, which ended in a 0–0 draw. Bengaluru had a good start in their first ISL season, as they qualified for the finals of the 2017-18 Indian Super League season after defeating FC Pune City on an aggregate score of 3–1 from both legs.[20] Nishu started as a substitute[21] in the final match against Chennaiyin FC on 17 March 2018, but they lost the final 2–3.[22] In May 2018, Nishu signed a two-year contract with Bengaluru till 2020.[23] He played his first match of the 2018-2019 Indian Super League season on 30 September 2018 in a 1–0 victory over Chennaiyin.[24] Nishu scored his first league goal in his career in the next match day on 7 October against Jamshedpur, which ended in a 2–2 draw.[25] Bengaluru had a standout campaign, as they were qualified for the finals once again in the 2018–2019 season after defeating NorthEast United in an aggregate score of 4–2 from both legs.[26] Nishu started in final against FC Goa[27] on 17 March 2018, which they ended up being victorious by a score of 1–0, thereby Nishu clinching his first Indian Super League title and winning the emerging player of the match award in the final eve.[28] After winning the title, Nishu played his first match of 2019-20 Indian Super League season against NorthEast United on 21 October 2019, which ended 0–0 to both sides.[29] He scored his first goal of the season in a 1–0 victory over Hyderabad on 30 January 2020.[30] Bengaluru continued their quest in the league, as they qualified for the knockout stage for the third consecutive time, but was defeated by ATK in an aggregate score of 3–2 from both legs.[31] In 2020 there were reports that Nishu Kumar will be leaving the club at the end of 2019–20 season.[32][33] He rejected a contract extension from the club and finally decided to leave the club. Throughout his time at Bengaluru FC, Nishu made 55 league appearances and scored two goals and played a pivotal role in the success of the club over the years.[34]

Kerala Blasters : 2020-Present

edit

On 12 September 2020, it was officially confirmed that Nishu has finalised his move to Kerala Blasters FC, the southern rivals of his previous club.[35] The four-year deal with the Blasters made Nishu Kumar the highest-paid Indian defender surpassing the record of Sandesh Jhingan.[36] He made his Blasters debut on 26 November against NorthEast United FC, which ended in a 2–2 draw.[37] In February 2021, Nishu suffered a long-term knee injury which kept him out of action for the remaining games of the season. He was also not included in club's squad for the Durand Cup, that took place in September 2021.[38] After a period of six months, Nishu joined the Blaster's squad in the first week of October to complete the final leg of his rehabilitation.[39] He came back to action after seven months by playing in a pre-season friendly against Odisha FC in November ahead of the 2021-22 ISL season.[40] Nishu made his return in Indian Super League in Blasters' 0–0 draw over NorthEast United on 25 November 2021 by coming in as a substitute for Sahal Abdul Samad in the 73rd minute.[41][42] He scored his debut goal for the club against Odisha on 12 January 2022, where he netted a curler into the top-right corner, in a match which they won 0–2 at full-time.[43] After two seasons filled with injuries, Nishu made his first appearance of the season against ATK Mohun Bagan FC on 16 October 2022 as a substitute for Harmanjot Khabra in the 65th minute but the Blasters lost the match by a hefty score of 2–5.[44] After the ISL season, he was included in the Blasters squad for the 2023 Indian Super Cup,[45] and scored his first goal of the season against RoundGlass Punjab FC in the group-stage match on 8 April, where he scored the second goal for the Blasters as they won the match 3–1 at full-time.[46]

International career

edit

Youth career

edit

Nishu first represented India at the under-19 level in 2015[47] and had represented India U19 in the 2016 AFC U19 Championship Qualifiers in Palestine.[48] In June 2017, Nishu was called up for the senior national team to compete in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers camp for a game against Kyrgyzstan.[49][50] In July 2017, Nishu represented India U-23 in AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers which was held in Qatar.[51]

Senior career

edit

Nishu made his senior international debut against Jordan national team at King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman, Jordan on 18 November 2018, where scored his debut goal in his debut match as India's sole goal in the second half in a 2–1 loss.[52]

Nishu was selected in the 23 men squad of India to compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.[53] He played his second match against Oman national team on 19 November 2019 which ended in a 1–0 defeat for India.[54]

Career statistics

edit

Club

edit

As of matches played till 12 April 2023[55]

Club Season League Cup Other AFC Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bengaluru 2015–16 I-League 1 0 1 0 6[a] 0 8 0
2016–17 I-League 9 0 4 0 0[b] 0 13 0
2017–18 Indian Super League 9 0 3 0 9[a] 1 21 1
2018–19 Indian Super League 18 1 1 0 12[a] 3 31 4
2019–20 Indian Super League 18 1 0 0 2[a] 0 20 1
Bengaluru total 55 2 9 0 0 0 29 4 93 6
Bengaluru B 2017–18 I-League 2nd Division 3 0 0 0 3 0
Kerala Blasters 2020–21 Indian Super League 9 0 0 0 9 0
2021–22 Indian Super League 11 1 0 0 11 1
2022–23 Indian Super League 17 0 2 1 19 1
Kerala Blasters total 37 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 39 1
East Bengal (loan) 2023–24 Indian Super League 20 0 9[c] 0 8[d] 1 30 1
East Bengal 2024–25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
East Bengal total 20 0 9 0 8 1 0 0 30 1
Career total 115 3 20 1 8 1 29 4 165 9
  1. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in the AFC Cup
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in the 2017 AFC Cup qualifying play-off
  3. ^ 5 Appearances in the Durand Cup and 4 Appearances in the Super Cup.
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in Calcutta Football League

International

edit

Statistics accurate as of 1 February 2021[56]

India national team
Year Apps Goals
2018 1 1

International goals

edit
Scores and results list India's goal tally first.[57]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 17 November 2018 King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman, Jordan   Jordan 1–2 1–2 Friendly

Honours

edit

Club

edit

Bengaluru FC

Kerala Blasters FC

References

edit
  1. ^ "Nishu Kumar (Kerala Blasters) - Player Profile". www.flashscore.info. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Nishu Kumar profile". Indian Super League.
  3. ^ "Nishu Kumar: How 19-year-old footballer from cricket-crazy Muzaffarnagar is on the cusp of playing for India". Firstpost. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  4. ^ Sportstar, Team. "AIFF academy products feature in Bengaluru FC's dream run". Sportstar. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  5. ^ Chaudhuri, Arunava (24 May 2012). "16 boys selected for Milan trip". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Johnson announces 23-member squad for AFC U-19 Qualifiers". 29 September 2015. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  7. ^ "23-member Indian squad for AFC U-19 qualifiers". Zee News. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  8. ^ "BFC add to squad, sign three promising youngsters". Bengaluru FC. 17 November 2015. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015.
  9. ^ "Bengaluru FC, DYES share spoils". Deccan Herald. 24 February 2016. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  10. ^ "Bengaluru FC notch key win, beat Ayeyawady 5–3". bengalurufc.com. 13 April 2016. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Mariners Net Five To Seal A Double Over the Champions | Hero I-League". Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Bengaluru FC - Squad 2016/2017". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Bengaluru v Mumbai Starting XIs, 18/01/17, I-League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Maziya v Bengaluru Starting XIs, 04/04/17, AFC Cup | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Bengaluru v Abahani Match Report, 18/04/17, AFC Cup | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  16. ^ "I-League 2017: Report: Bengaluru FC 7-0 DSK Shivajians: Sunil Chhetri show as Shivajians overrun by seven-star Blues". www.goal.com. 22 April 2017. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  17. ^ "Bengaluru join ISL from next season". ESPN.com. 12 June 2017. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  18. ^ "Bengaluru FC - Squad 2017/2018". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  19. ^ "Bengaluru v Odisha Starting XIs, 11/26/17, Indian Super League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  20. ^ "Chhetri's hat-trick propels Bengaluru to final". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Bengaluru vs. Chennaiyin - 17 March 2018". int.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  22. ^ "ISL final: Chennaiyin FC beat Bengaluru FC to claim second title". The Times of India. 17 March 2018. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  23. ^ Mehrish, Akshat (29 May 2018). "ISL 2018: Nishu Kumar, Semboi Haokip sign contract extension with Bengaluru FC". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Bengaluru v Chennaiyin Match Report, 30/09/2018, Indian Super League". www.goal.com. 30 September 2018. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  25. ^ "Bengaluru v Jamshedpur Match Report, 07/10/2018, Indian Super League". www.goal.com. 7 October 2018. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  26. ^ "Bengaluru break NorthEast hearts to secure their spot in the final". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  27. ^ "Bengaluru vs. Goa - 17 March 2019". int.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  28. ^ "Bheke's late header earns Bengaluru the Hero ISL 2018-19 crown". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  29. ^ "Bengaluru v NorthEast United Match Report, 21/10/19, Indian Super League". www.goal.com. 21 October 2019. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  30. ^ "Bengaluru vs. Hyderabad - 30 January 2020". int.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  31. ^ "ISL 2019-20: ATK knock defending champions Bengaluru out, set up final vs Chennaiyin FC". India Today. 8 March 2020. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  32. ^ "ISL: Kerala Blasters set to sign Nishu Kumar | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  33. ^ "Nishu Kumar to sign for Kerala Blasters | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  34. ^ "Nishu Kumar Signs for Kerala Blasters, Becomes Highest Paid Indian Defender". News18. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Nishu Kumar Joins Kerala Blasters FC". Kerala Blasters FC. 12 September 2020. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  36. ^ "Nishu Kumar Signs for Kerala Blasters, Becomes Highest Paid Indian Defender". News18. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  37. ^ "ISL 2020-21 : Super comeback by NorthEast United, snatch a point from Kerala Blasters from a two goal deficit". InsideSport. 27 November 2020. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  38. ^ Sportstar, Team. "Durand Cup 2021: Kerala Blasters FC announces squad". Sportstar. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  39. ^ "Kerala Blasters to return to Kochi for pre-season training". Khel Now. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  40. ^ Mishra, Siddharth (1 November 2021). "ISL: Analysing Kerala Blaster's Indian Contingent ahead of the Indian Super League 2021-22 season". The Bridge - Home of Indian Sports. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  41. ^ Sportstar, Team. "ISL 2021-22, NorthEast United vs Kerala Blasters Highlights: KBFC's Diaz and Sahal miss big chances as match ends in goalless draw". Sportstar. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  42. ^ "ISL 2021-22: NorthEast United FC held by Kerala Blasters FC at 0-0 in intense bout". WION. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  43. ^ "ISL 2021-22: Kerala Blasters FC do the double over Odisha FC to reclaim summit". Olympics.com. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  44. ^ Sportstar, Team (16 October 2022). "KBFC vs ATKMB, ISL HIGHLIGHTS: ATK Mohun Bagan thumps Kerala Blasters 5-2 for season's first win". sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  45. ^ Sportstar, Team (3 April 2023). "Super Cup 2023: Kerala Blasters announces 29-men squad". sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  46. ^ Kumar, P. K. Ajith (8 April 2023). "Super Cup 2023: Kerala beats Punjab 3-1; Bengaluru held 1-1 by Deccan". sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  47. ^ "Nishu Kumar | | » Bengaluru FC Official Website". Bengaluru FC Official Website. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  48. ^ "Nishu Kumar | AFC Stats". stats.the-afc.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  49. ^ "Constantine announces 24-man squad to face Kyrgyz Republic in final AFC Asian cup qualifier". Khel Now. 24 March 2018. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  50. ^ "Asian Cup Qualifier: India announce 24-man travelling squad for Kyrgyzstan game | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  51. ^ "Nishu Kumar | Biography". All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  52. ^ "India vs Jordan Highlights: Jordan beat India 2-1". The Indian Express. 18 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  53. ^ "World Cup qualifiers: Jeje, Jhinghan return as India name 43-man probables for Qatar clash". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  54. ^ "India lose 0-1 to Oman, virtually out of contention for FIFA World Cup berth". The Times of India. 19 November 2019. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  55. ^ "India - N. Kumar - Profile with news, career statistics and history". int.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  56. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Nishu Kumar". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  57. ^ "Kumar, Nishu". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  58. ^ "ISL final: Hyderabad give Kerala the blues". The Indian Express. 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
edit