Crucial Player Duels to Watch in India vs Bangladesh AFC Asian Cup Qualifier Clash

India’s national football team is gearing up to face Bangladesh in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier on November 18. With no competitive football on the horizon for the next two years, this fixture signals a fresh start for India’s rebuild, as coach Khalid Jamil has called up multiple young talents to revamp the team’s core.

As the Blue Tigers look to begin their revival on a positive note, here’s a breakdown of the key player battles that could decide Tuesday’s encounter:

Rahim Ali vs Topu Barman

With Sunil Chhetri having retired, the responsibility of leading India’s attack falls to players like Rahim Ali. While his performances in national colors haven’t been groundbreaking, his goal against Singapore might earn him another start as the striker. If he features, he’ll go up against Bangladesh’s veteran centre-back Topu Barman. The 30-year-old, with 65 international appearances under his belt, is a mainstay in their defense. This duel will put India’s attacking capabilities to the test, and Rahim’s ability to get the better of Topu could be crucial for India’s chances of finding the net.

Mahesh Singh Naorem vs Hamza Choudhury

India’s 23-man squad lacks a typical No.10, indicating that Khalid Jamil might once again deploy Mahesh Singh Naorem in that role. This sets up a captivating duel against Bangladesh’s Hamza Choudhury. The Leicester City midfielder, who operates in defensive midfield, has made a significant impact for Bangladesh, scoring four goals in six international appearances. Mahesh will need to come up with creative solutions to nullify Hamza’s influence in the heart of the midfield.

Sandesh Jhingan vs Rakib Hossain

Sandesh Jhingan has been one of India’s most consistent performers this year. The FC Goa skipper has been a rock at the back for the Blue Tigers and will be back in action after a high-intensity AFC Champions League clash against Al-Nassr. For Bangladesh to score, they’ll need to break through an Indian defense marshaled by Jhingan. Their best bet for this could be Rakib Hossain, a 26-year-old who mainly plays on the right wing but featured in a central role against Nepal in a recent friendly. He might start in that role again, setting up a battle with Sandesh that could determine if Bangladesh can breach India’s defense.