The Kolkata franchise have nine points from four matches to occupy the top spot, ahead of FC Goa (eight points).
Bengaluru FC had to settle for their third draw in as many matches in Hero Indian Super League after being held goalleds by Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Sunday.
India remained winless in their qualifying campaign so far.
It was the first meeting between the countries in more than two decades and has been dubbed 'The Earth Derby' as it features nations that are home to a third of the world's population.
Only Sandesh Jhingan, who led the side, Rahul Bheke and Subhasish Bose retained their places, but India still won the match through a 17th minute strike from midfielder Anirudh Thapa in the third-place match at the Thunder Castle stadium.
India are virtually knocked out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying round after losing 0-1 to Oman, in Muscat, on Tuesday.
Former champions Atletico de Kolkata notched up their first victory of the tournament with a 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League football match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, on Wednesday.
Goals from Matti Steinmann (6th) and Anthony Pilkington (68th) secured the victory for SCEB
After constant pressure, Bengaluru were finally rewarded with the equaliser in the 82nd minute when Paartalu nodded in Cleiton's in-swinging corner.
Dheeraj, whose performance under the woodwork during the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India earned him accolades, is the third player after skipper Amarjit Singh and defender Anwar Ali from that squad, to get a call in the senior team camp.
