Inter Kashi’s entry into the Indian Super League for the 2025–26 season is not being treated as a ceremonial promotion.
Instead, the Varanasi-based club has opted for one of the most aggressive squad resets seen in Indian football in recent years, reshaping almost its entire roster to prepare for life at the highest level.The club’s January transfer window saw 11 new players arrive and 16 depart, a churn that reflects both ambition and urgency. Having secured promotion after a landmark Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling, Inter Kashi are aware that surviving and competing in the ISL requires an entirely different athletic and tactical ceiling.
A New Spine for a New League
The most striking aspect of Inter Kashi’s recruitment has been the construction of a new spine from goalkeeper to striker. At the back, Lluís Tarrés arrives from Spain to compete for the No.1 shirt, while Mohit Singh Dhami, a former India U-20 goalkeeper, provides domestic depth. With the departure of veteran Arindam Bhattacharja, Kashi have clearly chosen to refresh their goalkeeping department for the long term.
In defence, the arrivals of Narender Gehlot and Wayne Vaz address one of the club’s biggest weaknesses during their I-League campaign aerial duels and physicality. Both defenders bring ISL-level experience and offer the height and defensive discipline required against the league’s elite foreign forwards.
Photos : Abhinav Ashish Aind / Shibu Nair Photography AIFF
On the flanks, Prabir Das is one of the most important signings of the window. A relentless right-back known for his work rate and crossing, Das instantly upgrades Inter Kashi’s wide play, giving them both defensive stability and attacking width.
Spanish Influence in Midfield and Attack
A clear pattern in Inter Kashi’s recruitment is the growing Spanish influence. Sergio Llamas joins as the creative fulcrum in midfield a player comfortable in dictating tempo, breaking lines and controlling possession. In a league where most promoted sides struggle to keep the ball, Llamas could be the difference between survival and collapse.
Further forward, Alfred Planas and Sergio Llamas give Kashi tactical versatility. Planas brings pace, directness and goal threat from the wings something the team lacked last season while Llamas provides control between the lines. David Humanes, a technically gifted Spanish defender, adds composure at the back and comfort in playing out from deep a vital quality in the ISL where pressing is relentless.
A European No.9 to Lead the Line
The headline signing, however, is Lithuanian striker Nauris Petkevičius.
At 25, Petkevičius arrives as a modern forward strong, mobile and comfortable linking play. His experience in European leagues gives him an edge in movement and finishing that few I-League strikers possess. For Inter Kashi, this is not just a foreign signing it is a statement that they want to compete, not just survive.
Indian Core Built for the Present and the Future
While the foreign recruits bring class, Inter Kashi’s Indian signings ensure long-term sustainability. Rohit Danu, one of the brightest young forwards in Indian football, arrives to add pace, pressing and unpredictability. He gives the team a homegrown attacking threat who can stretch defences and create space for Petkevičius. Ashish Jha and Mohit Singh Dhami represent investments in youth, while Narender Gehlot and Prabir Das bring leadership and top-tier experience.
Together, this blend ensures Inter Kashi are not overly dependent on foreigners a critical factor in a league where injuries, suspensions and rotation are unavoidable.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Equally telling is who Inter Kashi have let go. Club heroes such as Edmund Lalrindika, Nikola Stojanovic, Joni Kauko, Bidyashagar Singh and Narayan Das have moved on. While many of these players were vital in securing promotion, the ISL is unforgiving. Sentimentality cannot replace athleticism, pace or tactical adaptability. The sale of Edmund Lalrindika also generated crucial funds that allowed Kashi to reinvest into higher-calibre talent a move that reflects a more modern, sustainable club model.
A Squad Built for Antonio Habas’ Football
This rebuild makes even more sense when viewed through the lens of head coach Antonio López Habas. Habas demands discipline, compactness and physical intensity. His teams do not dominate possession, but they punish mistakes and thrive in transitions. The arrival of Petkevičius, Planas, Llamas, Das and Gehlot fits that philosophy perfectly players who can run, battle and execute under pressure.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Inter Kashi’s transfer strategy is not about finishing 11th and surviving. It is about laying a foundation. With a new football-specific stadium coming up in Varanasi and a squad that mixes European quality with Indian youth, the club is clearly positioning itself as a long-term ISL entity rather than a one-season guest.
The real test now is whether this bold rebuild can translate into results but for the first time, Inter Kashi look equipped for the league they have entered. And that, more than any single signing, is what makes their 2025–26 project one of the most intriguing stories in Indian football.
