How can Bangladesh lineup against India after Hamza Choudhury's inclusion?

The Sheffield United FC midfielder will be making his debut for the Red and Green against the Blue Tigers.

The Bangladesh Football Team will be preparing themselves for the opening Group C encounter against India in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. With a place at stake in the continental tournament set to be held in Saudi Arabia, the Bengal Tigers have added a high-profile talent to their ranks.

Bangladesh are welcoming former FA Cup-winning midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who brings an invaluable amount of experience playing in Europe. While the former Leicester City FC midfielder adds quality, it will be interesting to see how Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera sets up his team on 25 March 2025 against India.

Let us have a look at how Bangladesh will be lining up following the inclusion of Hamza Choudhury:

Will Hamza Choudhury start for Bangladesh against India?

The inclusion of the former Premier League midfielder adds a lot of steel to the Bengal Tigers in the middle of the park. Choudhury could also break up play and initiate counter-attacks for his teammates.

Despite initially falling out of favour at Leicester City FC early in the season and nursing injuries, Choudhury found a new lease of life while playing on loan at Sheffield United FC. Coming off an intense derby game win against Sheffield Wednesday, the 27-year-old has found his footing again and seems excited to don the Red and Green.

Probable XI of Bangladesh vs India

Formation: 4-3-3

GK: Mitul Marma

Marma is the leading candidate to play as goalkeeper for the Bengal Tigers between the posts and has been in good form in the Bangladesh Premier League this season. He has kept six clean sheets in eight league games for the Abahani Ltd.

RB: Saad Uddin

Uddin will be the favourite to start for the Bengal Tigers this season. The Basundhara Kings full-back has made 10 appearances this season and is one of the elder statesmen in the lineup.

CB: Tariq Kazi

Another Basundhara Kings player, as a centre-back, Kazi will be one of the players to start for the national team in the upcoming qualifiers. Apart from missing out on a couple of games during the World Cup Qualifiers, Kazi has started the two last games for the Red and Green.

CB: Topu Barman

Kazi’s fellow club teammate Barman has been in great form in the Bangladesh Premier League. He will be a guaranteed starter for the game against India. In nine appearances this season, the Bangladeshi centre-back has scored three goals.

LB: Isa Faysal

The left-back position will see Faysal play as he will be able to provide them with defensive cover and width on the wings to support the wingers. Having made 10 appearances for the Bangladesh Police FC, he has contributed with an assist this season.

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CDM: Mohammed Ridoy

Ridoy will be the favourite to be the deep-lying midfielder sitting in front of the Bangladeshi backline. While Choudhury would have been an equally or maybe a better choice, Ridoy has impressed this season.

CM: Hamza Choudhury

The Sheffield United midfielder will be the first name on the team sheet for the Bengal Tigers. After finding his feet at the EFL Championship club, Choudhury is going to impact how the game progresses against the Blue Tigers.

CM: Syed Quazem Shah

The 26-year-old has made nine appearances for the Bangladesh Police FC this season. He has contributed with a goal and an assist for the club in Bangladesh Premier League. While he didn’t feature a lot for the national team in 2024, Shah has now matured for a starting role under coach Javier Cabrera.

RW: Rakib Hossain

Hossain has been one of the most in-form Bangladeshi players playing in the Bangladesh Premier League this season. In nine appearances this season, Hossain has scored five goals and made two assists for the Basundhara Kings. He will arguably be the biggest threat against India.

LW: Mohammed Ibrahim

Ibrahim will be another attacking threat for the Red and Green against the Blue Tigers. He has made nine appearances this season for the Abahani Ltd. while scoring three goals and assisting once.

ST: Al Amin

The 20-year-old could be the ace up coach Javier Cabrera’s sleeve against India. Amin has been in fine form in the 2024-25 Bangladesh Premier League season for the Bangladesh Police FC. While making 10 appearances this season, Amin has contributed with seven goals for his club. Cabrera will be hoping for a repeat of the same in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers.

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