The Indian Super League is facing renewed scrutiny over its heavy reliance on foreign strikers, a strategy increasingly viewed as a constraint on domestic talent development. Concerns within the All India Football Federation and among stakeholders center on the shrinking pipeline of Indian forwards, particularly as the search intensifies for a successor to Sunil Chhetri. While the league has delivered commercial growth and global visibility, its structural imbalance raises critical questions about sustainability, talent incubation, and the long-term competitiveness of Indian football.