India, July 25 -- An all-Indian starting 11 for a Kolkata derby is a rare thing. But there it was in the opening match of the 135th Durand Cup with which a new season kicked off at the Salt Lake stadium here on Saturday.

A number of those who started for Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal will be squad players for the full season 2026-27 promises to be. The pre-season tournament is their chance to get coaches Panagiotis Dilmperis and Antonio Lopez Habas to change their minds.

Sahal Abdul Samad will hope to do that with the match's only goal that fetched Mohun Bagan bragging rights. Samad made only five starts and came off the bench six times in the short 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season. One of those substitute appearances ...