How India can lineup against Bangladesh in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers?

The Blue Tigers are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time since 2023 SAFF Championships.

India aims to kick off their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers campaign positively when they host Bangladesh on Tuesday (25 March 2025). The Blue Tigers are coming into the game on the back of a dominant 3-0 win over the Maldives, their first win under head coach Manolo Marquez.

They produced impressive attacking football against the Red Snappers, with the players looking well coordinated and with lots of chemistry to aid them. However, the challenge will be considerably higher against the Bangladesh side, which boasts some quality players – including Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury.

Marquez has some key decisions on his hands if he aspires to help his side get a big win over the Bengal Tigers. Here is Khel Now’s India predicted lineup for the game against Bangladesh:

Goalkeeper: Vishal Kaith

After keeping a well-deserved clean sheet against the Maldives, Vishal Kaith is poised to hold onto the no.1 spot. He did not have too many saves in the last match, but his passing and collection of crosses looked sharp in his goal.

The Mohun Bagan star has 14 clean sheets in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season, showing his quality to make clutch reflex saves in big matches. He will look to do just that against Bangladesh and work hard to get another shutout on the international stage.

Right-back: Hmingthanmawia Ralte

The 24-year-old was a proactive figure in the right-back role against the Maldives. He was courageous with his forward runs and covered much ground to produce a stellar defensive effort. Valpuia has enjoyed an impressive 2024-25 ISL campaign, winning 132 duels in 23 games and also making 55 tackles.

He has helped his side to eight clean sheets and has brought that bright form to the international level. He should keep his place in the right-back spot, where he will be urged to make more darting forward runs to amplify India’s creative qualities and use his high energy levels to neutralize Bangladesh’s attacking movement down his side.

Centre-Back: Rahul Bheke

Rahul Bheke has etched himself as a regular starter under Marquez for India and proved why with a dominant performance in the last game. Not only did he score a clutch goal in the win over the Maldives, but the Bengaluru FC man also held together a tight defensive line.

Bheke’s ability to make clutch challenges or last-ditch tackles makes him a vital cog of this team. He will look to continue his impressive form with a compelling showing, frustrating the opposition attackers with his composed defensive work.

Centre-Back: Sandesh Jhingan

After being benched for the last game, a fully fit and fresh Sandesh Jhingan should command the Indian backline against Bangladesh’s attackers. The 31-year-old has enjoyed an impressive ISL campaign, helping FC Goa keep seven clean sheets and making 99 clearances in 18 games.

Jhingan will be vital for cutting Bangladesh’s supply into the box thanks to his ability to make clearances when his side needs him. He will also need to be efficient with his passing and communicate with his defenders to maintain a stubborn defensive shape.

Left-Back: Subhasish Bose

The Mohun Bagan skipper has made that left-back spot his own for the Blue Tigers. After impressing in the ISL league phases this season, where he scored six goals and helped his side keep 12 clean sheets, Bose put in a decent effort against the Maldives.

He was mainly pretty solid in the previous game, coming up with vital clearances and reading the opposition’s moves well. Bose probably needs to amplify his creative nature and make more darting forward runs, but his primary task against Bangladesh will be to nullify their movement through his wing and shut out their supply chain.

Centre-Midfield: Ayush Chhetri

In his official debut for India, Ayush Chhetri showcased admirable maturity and skill against the Maldives. He helped his side dominate the midfield battle, winning several key duels and moving the ball forward nicely. He will have a significant task of facing off against Hamza Choudhury, but his impressive form and skillset should help him go toe-to-toe in the battle.

Chhetri needs to be alert in the midfield, reading the Bangladesh moves to come up with vital possession recoveries and winning key duels, too. This game will test the FC Goa man’s ability and show if he sinks or swims under the intense pressure of international football.

Centre-Midfield: Lalengmawia Ralte

Apuia only had a second-half cameo in India’s previous game, but he should get a starting role in midfield against the Bengal Tigers. He is coming off a prolific ISL league stage, winning the ISL shield with Mohun Bagan. Apuia has been a consistent, reliable midfield figure this season, averaging 46 passes per game in the ISL and making 126 possession recoveries in 20 games.

The 24-year-old will play a vital role in helping his side dominate the midfield battle, as he will need to use his press-resistant techniques to frustrate the opponents and move the ball forward smoothly. He will also work hard to regain possession and cut out Bangladesh’s supply chain through the central areas to keep his side on top.

ALSO READ: Manolo Marquez hoping for strong performance from India ahead of high-stakes encounter against Bangladesh

Right-Wing: Farukh Choudhary

Farukh Choudhary had a lively outing against the Maldives after replacing the injured Brandon Fernandes. He was able to get into some prime areas in the box, but his final product was awry. Choudhury must improve that against the Bangladesh side and be more accurate with his shots on target or final passes.

The 28-year-old has three goal contributions (two goals, one assist) for Chennaiyin FC in the ISL league stages, and he cannot afford to keep missing chances for India. He must maintain his unpredictability in getting into more goal-scoring areas and put away chances much better.

Attacking-Midfield: Naorem Mahesh Singh

Naorem Mahesh Singh was a fresh face in the Indian frontline against the Maldives. He was given the utmost freedom to roam wherever he liked from Marquez and excelled in that atmosphere. Mahesh was excellent with his final delivery, constantly swinging in inviting passes and linking up well with his teammates.

He grabbed an assist in the last game, with his impressive set-piece delivery being another of his major traits. The East Bengal midfielder should get to play in the No. 10 role against Bangladesh. He will get more of a say in dictating his side’s attacking flow, which can allow him to create more big chances with his stellar crosses and final third passes.

Left-Wing: Liston Colaco

Liston Colaco has hit his peak form for the 2024-25 season at the perfect moment. He produced a highly clinical performance in India’s win over the Maldives, which was a tormenting factor with his weaving running down the left flank. He must maintain his impressive momentum heading into the AFC Asian Cup qualifier to disrupt the Bangladesh backline.

Colaco will play a key role in unlocking the Bangladesh defensive shape with his unpredictable dribbles and tendency to burst into promising areas in the final third. However, the Mohun Bagan winger needs to be decisive with his final passes and start converting chances more regularly to help his side get a big win.

Centre-Forward: Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri triumphantly returned to international football by scoring his 95th goal for India in the previous game. He might not be the fastest anymore or even physically the strongest, but Chhetri remains India’s most clinical goal-scorer.

He will need to be at his sharpest in the frontline for the Blue Tigers to have a chance of getting a big win. Chhetri has to use his experience and knowledge to slip past the Bangladeshi centre-backs and get into more promising goal-scoring positions.

He will look to get past his marker to place himself into the danger areas in the box and get to the end of the delivery into the area. If Chhetri can easily convert chances, India can run riot over the Bengal Tigers’ backline and cause them many problems.

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