Mumbai City FC forward Vikram Partap Singh has set his sights on reclaiming the Indian Super League (ISL) Shield in the 2024-25 season, which would mark the club’s return to AFC competition next year.
Singh, who began his journey at the Chandigarh Football Academy, has been with Mumbai City FC since 2020. During his time with the club, he has already secured both the ISL League Shield and ISL Cup twice.
In the previous season, the 22-year-old striker made 23 appearances, scoring eight goals, providing four assists, creating 24 chances, and completing 14 successful dribbles. With an average of 0.35 goals per game, Singh is determined to keep up his impressive form and break his own records in the upcoming season.
“My goal is to stay fit throughout the season and be available whenever the team needs me. Last year, I scored eight goals, and this season, my aim is to score at least ten,” Singh shared in an interview with Republic World.
While the Islanders claimed the ISL Cup last season, they narrowly missed out on the League Shield. Singh is now determined to win both the Shield and the Cup, a feat the team achieved in the 2020-21 season.
“The main objective is to win both the ISL Shield and the ISL Cup. Winning the Shield qualifies us for the AFC Champions League, so that’s our primary goal,” he explained.
Singh has excelled under head coach Petr Kratky, who took charge of the team midway through the 2023-24 season. The versatile winger has flourished in Kratky’s system, helping lead the Islanders to their second ISL Cup title.
When asked about Kratky’s influence on his breakthrough season, Singh said, “My working relationship with Petr Kratky is great. I can openly discuss how I want to play, and he gives me invaluable advice. The freedom he allows has really enhanced my performance.”
“Every coach teaches you something different. Under Des Buckingham, I learned how to play within a system. With Petr, it’s similar tactically, but he gives more confidence to younger players, allowing us to express ourselves while sticking to the system,” Singh added.
Singh’s outstanding performances in the ISL earned him a call-up to the Indian national team, where he made his debut against Australia during the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. He has since made four appearances for the Blue Tigers and is currently with the national team in Vietnam, where India will play a one-off friendly against the 116th-ranked hosts on October 12.
Reflecting on his time with the national team, Singh said, “Playing at the senior level is vastly different from the junior team. I spent a long time in the junior side and thought I’d break into the senior team early, but it took time. When I finally made my debut, it was an entirely new experience.”
“Meeting and playing alongside top players made me realize that this is where things get serious, and big moments start,” he concluded.
