East Bengal FC have suffered a significant setback in their Indian Super League campaign, with forward Naorem Mahesh Singh ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season following a knee injury.

The 27-year-old picked up the injury during East Bengal’s 3-1 away victory against Chennaiyin FC on April 11. Coming on as a second-half substitute for Edmund Lalrindika, Mahesh’s appearance lasted only seven minutes before he was forced off the pitch. He was subsequently replaced by Souvik Chakraborty.

In an official statement released on Tuesday, the club confirmed the seriousness of the situation. “Naorem Mahesh Singh, who sustained a knee injury during our recent ISL away match against Chennaiyin FC, is currently under the supervision of our club’s medical team, which is assessing the extent of his injury,” the statement read. It further added, “Mahesh is expected to miss the remainder of the season.”

Mahesh has been a key figure for East Bengal since first joining the club in 2021 on loan from Kerala Blasters FC. His performances earned him a permanent move the following year, and he has since become an integral part of the squad. Across all competitions, the winger has made 114 appearances, contributing 16 goals and 18 assists — numbers that underline his importance in the attacking setup.

The timing of the injury is a major blow for East Bengal, who have enjoyed a strong start to the season. The team currently sits fourth in the ISL standings with 14 points from seven matches, positioning themselves as early contenders for a playoff spot.

With Mahesh sidelined, the responsibility will now fall on the rest of the attacking unit to step up as East Bengal look to maintain their momentum. Their next challenge comes against Bengaluru FC on Thursday, a crucial fixture that could shape their position in the league table.

As the season progresses, East Bengal will hope their depth can compensate for the absence of one of their most consistent performers, while fans await further updates on Mahesh’s recovery.