How can India line up vs Bangladesh in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers ft. Ryan Williams?

The Blue Tigers will face Bangladesh on November 18.

The Indian football team is set to return to action against Bangladesh in their next AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification clash. However, neither team has any chance of qualifying for the tournament; this clash will be a matter of pride and bragging rights for the two sides.

The Indian football team is still desperate to clinch its first win of the Asian Cup qualifiers campaign and get some momentum under Khalid Jamil. The experienced gaffer can use this game against Bangladesh to potentially try out some new tactics or players in his system as he still strives to find his best XI in the Indian set-up.

This is a game that the Blue Tigers will not only want to win but also look to produce promising football to entertain their fans. Jamil will likely take a more positive approach in this clash.

He has a healthy squad to choose from, but will only pick the players in their best form and brimming with confidence. Here we take a look at Khel Now’s predicted lineup for the Indian football team against Bangladesh.

Indian football team’s predicted line-up-

Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Under Khalid Jamil’s coaching, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has made an impressive comeback for India and looks set to regain the No. 1 spot again. The 33-year-old is coming off a pretty good Super Cup campaign with Bengaluru FC, where he was able to keep three clean sheets in the group stages.

Sandhu has 82 appearances for India in his belt and is still the go-to man in goal for them. He will need to be at his sharpest against Bangladesh, as they’ll force him to make key saves and also pour in a lot of crosses – where his cross collection qualities will be tested.

Right-Back: Hmingthanmawaia Ralte

There is still some debate about the ideal choice for the right-back position in the Indian football team, with Rahul Bheke not being the best fit. Instead, the most in-form right-back option for Jamil is Hmingthanmawia Ralte – aka Valpuia.

The Mumbai City defender was proactive and sturdy in their performances in the Super Cup recently, even playing a few matches as a centre-back. Ralte’s speed and defensive qualities should help him neutralize Bangladesh’s movement down the left wing, while he can also make darting overlapping runs to provide cover in the attacking areas.

Centre-Back: Anwar Ali

Anwar Ali has proven his quality as arguably India’s most reliable and consistent figure under Khalid Jamil. Despite not being on the winning side on most occasions under the gaffer, Ali has done his job perfectly in being a commanding figure in the backline and often coming up with crucial challenges.

He will continue to hold an important role, and must also be proactive to keep the Bangladesh forwards quiet. The East Bengal defender needs to use his game-reading skills and reflexes to ruin Bangladesh’s moves and help India to a major result.

Centre-Back: Pramveer

With AFC Asian Cup qualification already out of the window for India, the remaining qualifiers can be an ideal platform for Jamil to slightly experiment with his team.

He can provide top-level experience to emerging youngsters to ensure that these players learn to play at the top level at an early age. As a result, it can be ideal for Punjab FC defender Pramveer to get his India debut against Bangladesh.

Pramveer has already proven himself as an impressive defender with an admirable in-game IQ, physical prowess, and ability to make timely clearances. He can benefit from getting an appearance against Bangladesh, having the traits to frustrate the Bengal Tigers’ attackers, and proving his ability in international football.

Left-Back: Akash Mishra

Akash Mishra’s last appearance for India came all the way back in March (2024) when he featured in a 0-0 draw against Afghanistan. After struggling with a bad knee injury, the 23-year-old is now back to full fitness. Mishra produced some solid performances in the Super Cup group stages for Mumbai City and has been selected in the India squad as well.

With Muhammad Uvais not proving the most effective, Mishra can bring vigor and newfound energy to that left-back spot for the Blue Tigers. The 23-year-old is strong defensively and can trouble wingers. He can also nicely carry the ball forward and help create chances with his crossing skills, which could help Mishra impress against Bangladesh.

Defensive-Midfield: Nikhil Prabhu

Khalid Jamil realises he will have to protect his backline to secure a crucial clean sheet against Bangladesh. That is probably why he needs to persist with the tough midfielder Nikhil Prabhu to play in that deep midfield role. Prabhu has looked sharp and industrious with his first few appearances for India, as he continues his good form for Punjab FC.

Prabhu was solid in the Super Cup group stages for Punjab FC, even grabbing a goal and being a thorn for opponents because of his ball-winning ability and physicality in midfield. He can help protect the defenders from trouble and also win the ball back in crucial positions to launch counter-attacking chances for India.

Centre-Midfield: Suresh Singh

Suresh Singh’s never-say-die attitude and fighting nature in the midfield make him an ideal fit for Jamil’s system in the Indian football team. Even though Suresh might not be the most creative or ‘glamorous’ player, he gets his basics right and has the spirited nature needed to trouble opponents.

Suresh can be an ideal fit for the Bangladesh game because of his ball-winning ability and tendency to press the opponents sharply enough to cause mistakes. He can play a vital role in maintaining possession in crucial areas and pushing the Blue Tigers forward to win midfield battles.

Centre-Midfield: Macarton Louis Nickson

Macarton Louis Nickson had a pretty good debut for India in their clash against Singapore at their own yard, and he was a troublesome figure for the opposition players. The NorthEast United midfielder proved that he deserves more playing time, as he boasts a highly energetic style and a varied passing technique that helps him create chances.

Nickson can raise the tempo in India’s midfield in terms of moving the ball around swiftly and also put Bangladesh under pressure to dominate the key areas in the middle of the park and help the Blue Tigers produce a sturdy showing in Bangladesh.

Right-Wing: Ryan Williams

Ryan Williams has become a topic of much discussion in the Indian football team after he gave up his Australian passport and became an Indian citizen. As a result, he can now play for the Indian national team and potentially make his debut against Bangladesh itself!

Williams is in form and has had three goal contributions (two goals, one assist) in as many Super Cup group stage matches for Bengaluru FC.

The 33-year-old is someone who can drive the Indian attack forward with his pace and ball-carrying skill, as well as someone whose refined final product can help create bigger chances and also raise India’s overall goal-scoring threat.

Left-Wing: Lallianzuala Chhangte

After coming off his impressive showing against Singapore, where he scored a memorable goal, Lallianzuala Chhangte has proven that he deserves an important role in Jamil’s team. He will be tasked to be an unpredictable threat against Bangladesh, using his movement and in-game IQ to trouble their defenders.

The Mumbai City forward needs to be smart in getting into all the right areas and putting away chances efficiently to raise India’s threat in the final third and help his side get back to winning ways.

Centre-Forward: Rahim Ali

Sunil Chhetri has not seemed like a good fit for the India football team under Khalid Jamil at all, putting in some forgettable and clunky performances. At this point, the best possible options to take up that No. 9 role for India appear to be Rahim Ali.

The Odisha FC forward scored an instinctive goal in the draw against Singapore recently and seems a decent fit for Jamil’s style.

Ali has the physical ability to trouble Bangladesh defenders, while his pressing and off-the-ball movement could be beneficial for the Blue Tigers. Ali needs to be more refined and clinical and make better use of his opportunities to help the team clinch a win.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.