We’re 20 games into the new Indian Super League season and while it has given a modest glimpse of what lies ahead in store, the edition hasn’t really managed to live up to the hype which was fabricated in the beginning.

In drawing a close comparison to the previous editions, the 2019-20 season has been nothing but a dime a dozen despite the fact that the clubs did intelligent business in the transfer window. An inspection within earshot shows the average passes per game in this edition is actually the lowest compared to the other five. Same goes for the total passes played and completed.

Read | Top five goals of ISL 2019-20 season so far

Comparison

ISL 6

ISL 5

ISL 4

ISL 3

ISL 2

ISL 1

Matches

20

20

20

20

20

20

Passes

14464

16502

16737

14890

16243

14672

Passes Completed

9727

11490

11357

10599

12210

10716

Passing Accuracy

67.25

69.63

67.86

71.18

75.17

73.04

Average Pass per Match

723.2

825.1

836.85

744.5

812.15

733.6

As seen, the most compelling – or productive for say – was the second edition (ISL 2) where as many as 12,210 passes were completed at an accuracy of 75.17. Further analysis explains the players this year, haven’t been producing their best-attacking displays as passes played in the attacking third are the second-lowest. Also, the numbers are lowest when it comes to the completion of those attempts compared to the previous editions.

Attacking Third

Passes

Passes Completed

Passing Accuracy

ISL 1 (20 Matches)

3925

2570

65.48

ISL 2 (20 Matches)

4357

2559

58.73

ISL 3 (20 Matches)

3494

1953

55.9

ISL 4 (20 Matches)

4122

2287

55.48

ISL 5 (20 Matches)

4024

2171

53.95

ISL 6 (20 Matches)

3783

1905

50.36

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As far as goals are concerned, there sure has been an increase in the number of attempts, but accuracy is something that the players have struggled to cope with. There have been as many as 469 shots in 20 games this season – third best – but an on-target figure of a mere 170 – second-lowest – jacks down all the positives.

Comparison

ISL 6

ISL 5

ISL 4

ISL 3

ISL 2

ISL 1

Matches

20

20

20

20

20

20

Shots

469

466

390

369

485

478

Shots on Target

170

162

193

175

277

260

Average Shots on Target

8.5

8.1

9.65

8.75

13.85

13

Shot Accuracy

36.25

34.76

49.49

47.43

57.11

54.39

Biggest coincidence this season though have occurred to Chennaiyin FC, who at this point of time last season were winless in five games. And well, this season too they are yet to open their account, having lost three of their four games played. FC Goa, on their part, have scored same amount of goals as they did last season (10) at this point.

With as many as six players tied at most goals scored (3) so far this season, the league has sure delivered its fair share of amusement, but it hasn’t really managed to match the excitement which the second season (ISL 2) delivered. But a long way to go for the season to end, and all that we can hope is for it to become the best season ever of the Indian Super League.

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Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @IndSuperLeague