Jamshedpur, July 24: Jamshedpur FC have announced a 29-member squad for the 135th Durand Cup, with the Men of Steel set to begin their campaign in Ranchi. The squad, coached by Kaizad Ambapardiwala, features a healthy blend of experienced senior professionals and exciting young talent from the club's youth development system.
Eleven Jamshedpur FC academy players have been included in the squad, underlining the club's continued commitment to developing homegrown talent. The squad also features six new signings who will add experience and depth ahead of the tournament.
Senior players such as Albino Gomes, Amrit Gope, Pratik Chaudhari, Sarthak Golui, Mohammed Sanan, Sreekuttan V.S., Pronay Halder and Sourav Das continue from last season and will form the experienced core of the squad.
Among the new additions is experienced left-back Abhishek Ambekar, who arrives after representing Rajasthan United FC. A former I-League champion with Minerva Punjab, the defender brings vast experience, having also represented Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan SC and Sreenidi Deccan.
Goa-born forward Devendra Dhaku Murgaokar joins from Sporting Club Delhi, bringing proven attacking quality after winning the 2021 Durand Cup with FC Goa as the tournament's joint top scorer and representing the club in the AFC Champions League.
The midfield has been strengthened by the arrival of former India international Raynier Fernandes, whose trophy-laden career includes winning the ISL League Winners' Shield and ISL Championship with Mumbai City FC, along with the 2023 Super Cup with Odisha FC.
Defender Provat Lakra returns to Jamshedpur FC after spending last season with East Bengal FC, where he was part of the squad that lifted the 2025-26 ISL title.
Also joining the squad are Leewan Castanha, a versatile defender and former India U-20 international, and Aman C.K, the pacey Kerala winger who arrives after stints with East Bengal FC and Gokulam Kerala FC.
The Durand Cup will also provide another opportunity for Jamshedpur FC's promising youngsters to showcase their abilities on the senior stage. Players such as Lawmsangzuala, Rayan C, India U-17 international Heeranganba Seram, Ronaldo Singh and Sachin Singh have all earned their places after playing key roles in the club's youth success, helping
Jamshedpur FC finish runners-up in the AIFF U-17 Elite Youth League last season and reach the quarterfinals of the competition this year.
Kaizad Names Four Captains for Durand Cup Campaign
Head Coach Kaizad Ambapardiwala has named Pronay Halder, Pratik Chaudhari, Albino Gomes and Nikhil Barla as the four captains who will lead the Men of Steel during the Durand Cup campaign. The experienced quartet will share leadership responsibilities, providing guidance to a young squad throughout the tournament.
Jamshedpur FC will begin their Group C campaign against Defenders FC of Sri Lanka on July 26 before taking on Sporting Club Delhi on August 4 and Indian Air Force Football Team on August 13. All three matches will be played at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi.
Jamshedpur FC Squad – Durand Cup 2026
Goalkeepers:
Albino Gomes, Amrit Gope, Ritabrata Sarkar
Defenders:
Abhishek Ambekar, Pratik Chaudhari, Provat Lakra, Sarthak Golui, Praful Kumar, Leewan Castanha, Nikhil Barla, Ayangsana Meitei, Ronaldo Singh, Soumik Das, Satyajit Das
Midfielders:
Pronay Halder, Raynier Fernandes, Sourav Das, Sreekuttan V.S., Aman C.K., Shagolsem Rashithoi Meetei, Sachin Singh, Mohammed Sanan, Rayan C, Lawmsangzuala, Lalhriatpuia
Forwards:
Rosenberg Gilbert Gabriel, Heeranganba Seram, Devendra Dhaku Murgaokar, Alvin Eshaan Khyriem
