Ayush Adhikari

In this Indian name, the name Adhikari is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Ayush.

Ayush Adhikari

Adhikari with Kerala Blasters in 2021
Personal information
Full name	Ayush Adhikari
Date of birth	(2000-07-30) 30 July 2000 (age 23)
Place of birth	New Delhi, Delhi, India
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Central midfielder, Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team	Chennaiyin
Number	30
Youth career
2014–2018	U Dream FA
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2019	Ozone	7	(0)
2019	Kerala Blasters B	0	(0)
2019–2020	→ Indian Arrows (loan)	13	(0)
2020–2023	Kerala Blasters	25	(0)
2023–	Chennaiyin	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:08, 3 March 2023 (UTC)

Ayush Adhikari (born 30 July 2000) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Indian Super League club Chennaiyin.

Club career

Youth and early career

After impressing for Delhi state team during the U14 nationals, Ayush was selected for the U Dream Football programme in Germany, where he spent almost four years of his life. On his return to India, Ayush signed for Ozone FC. During the 2018–19 Santosh Trophy, Ayush finished as the top scorer with 6 goals despite his side failing to make the knockouts. ^[1]

Kerala Blasters

In July 2019, he was signed by Kerala Blasters into their reserves side. However, he was loaned out to Indian Arrows in I-League. ^[2]

He made his I-League professional debut for Indian Arrows on 28 December 2019 at Fatorda Stadium against Churchill Brothers, he started the match and was substituted in 86th minute as they won 1–2. ^[3]

In 2020, Ayush was promoted into the senior side of the Blasters. He made his debut for the club against Hyderabad FC on 16 February 2021, by coming as a substitute for Gary Hooper. ^[4]

Ayush was named in the Blasters squad for the 2021 Durand Cup, where he appeared for the club in all the three matches of the tournament. ^[5] He played his first match of the 2021–22 Indian Super League season in the season opener against ATK Mohun Bagan FC on 19 November 2021, which they lost 4–2. ^[6] The following game, Adhikari made his first start for the Blasters in Indian Super League, on 25 November 2021, in a 0–0 draw to NorthEast United FC before being substituted for Puitea. ^{[7] [8]} On 4 February 2022, Ayush saw two yellows, resulting in a sent-off in his second start of the season against NorthEast United, ^[9] which they also won with the score of 2–1 at full-time. ^[10]

In April 2022, Ayush was included in the Kerala Blasters' reserve team and was appointed as their captain to participate in the inaugural edition of the Reliance Foundation Development League. ^[11] Under his captaincy, they became runners up of the tournament and qualified for the NextGen Cup, which took place in United Kingdom. ^[12] He also captained the side in the NextGen Cup.

Chennaiyin FC

In August 2023, Chennaiyin FC announced the signing of Ayush Adhikari ahead of the 2023-24 Indian Super League season. ^[13] Chennaiyin paid a reported transfer fee of ₹50 lakhs to sign Ayush. ^[14]

Career statistics

Club

As of matches played till 12 April 2023 ^[15]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Durand Cup		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Ozone	2018–19	I-League	7	0	0	0	—	—	—	—	7	0
Indian Arrows	2019–20		13	0	0	0	—	—	—	—	13	0
Kerala Blasters	2020–21	Indian Super League	1	0	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	0
	2021–22		17	0	—	—	—	—	3	0	20	0
	2022–23		7	0	2	0	—	—	—	—	9	0
	Kerala Blasters total		25	0	2	0	0	0	3	0	30	0
Total			45	0	2	0	0	0	3	0	50	0

Honours

Kerala Blasters

• Indian Super League runner up: 2021–22 ^[16]

References

1. "NxGn India: Meet Ayush Adhikari - The exciting attacking midfielder set for a bright future | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
2. "I will go where I can get more playing time: Ayush Adhikari". Football Counter.
3. "Churchill Brothers 1–2 Indian Arrows". Soccerway.
4. "Hyderabad 4-0 Kerala Blasters LIVE - Fran Sandaza punishes Bakary Kone's blunders | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
5. Sportstar, Team. "Durand Cup 2021: Kerala Blasters FC announces squad". Sportstar. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
6. "ISL 2021-22, ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters Highlights: Hugo Boumous Stars as ATKMB Beat KBFC 4-2". News18. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
7. "ISL 2021-22 Highlights: NorthEast United FC and Kerala Blasters Play Out 0-0 Draw". News18. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
8. Sportstar, Team. "ISL 2021-22, NorthEast United vs Kerala Blasters Highlights: KBFC's Diaz and Sahal miss big chances as match ends in goalless draw". Sportstar. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
9. "ISL: 10-man Kerala Blasters Ride On Alvaro Vazquez Stunner To Beat NorthEast United FC | Football News". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
10. "ISL: 10-man Kerala Blasters beat NorthEast United to move second". OnManorama. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
11. "Reliance Foundation Development League: Kerala Blasters Record Second Successive Win, Hyderabad FC Script First Victory". News18. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
12. "RFDL: Kerala Blasters Beat RFYC 4-0, Qualify for Next Gen Cup". News18. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
13. "Chennaiyin FC ropes in midfielder Ayush Adhikari". Sportstar. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
14. "ISL: How much did Chennaiyin FC pay Kerala Blasters to sign Ayush Adhikari?". Khel Now. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
15. Ayush Adhikari at Soccerway
16. "ISL final: Hyderabad give Kerala the blues". The Indian Express. 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.