The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is bringing exciting cricket battles, and one of the most anticipated matches is India vs Bangladesh. Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat first. However, a major surprise came when their experienced middle-order batter Mahmudullah was not included in the playing XI.
- Bangladesh dropped Mahmudullah to strengthen their middle order.
- Jaker Ali was picked to bring aggression in the batting lineup.
- Bangladesh needed an X-factor against a strong Indian team.
Why Did Bangladesh Drop Mahmudullah?
Bangladesh is known for changing players frequently, but this decision raised many eyebrows. The team management chose Tanzid Hasan, who has an average in the 20s, while Towhid Hridoy was also selected in the top order. This left no room for Mahmudullah.
The main reason was Bangladesh’s need for an aggressive finisher. Mahmudullah has won many matches for his team, but with age, his strike rate has dropped. To compete against India, Bangladesh wanted a player with a higher strike rate, leading them to select Jaker Ali at number 7.
Jaker Ali’s Selection Over Mahmudullah
Jaker Ali has a strike rate of 111, which is crucial in limited-overs cricket. Against a top team like India, Bangladesh needed a power hitter in the final overs. Jaker’s ability to accelerate the scoring made him the preferred choice over Mahmudullah.
Impact on Bangladesh’s Batting Lineup
Bangladesh’s top six players are mainly anchor batters. This means they rely on stability rather than attacking play. To balance the lineup, Bangladesh needed a hard-hitting finisher. Hence, the team opted for Jaker Ali to ensure they could chase or set a high target.
India’s Strong Playing XI
India entered the match as favorites with a well-balanced team. Their lineup featured experienced players who can handle both pressure and big-match situations. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul provided solid batting strength, while the bowling attack was led by Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav.
Bangladesh’s Playing XI Without Mahmudullah
Bangladesh fielded a team focused on youth and aggression. Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar opened the innings, followed by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. The experienced Mushfiqur Rahim handled the middle order, while Jaker Ali took the finisher’s role.
Full Playing XIs for IND vs BAN:
India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav
Bangladesh Playing XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Will Bangladesh Miss Mahmudullah?
Dropping Mahmudullah is a bold decision, and its success depends on how the selected players perform. If Jaker Ali delivers a strong finish, this decision could be justified. However, if Bangladesh struggles in the middle overs, critics may question why their experienced batter was left out.
Can Bangladesh Challenge India?
India has a well-balanced squad, but Bangladesh has pulled off upsets before. Their decision to go with an aggressive lineup shows they are ready to fight. If their strategy works, this match could be a thrilling contest in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matches
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 1st Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs India - 2nd Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs South Africa - 3rd Match, Group B | Australia vs England - 4th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs India - 5th Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 6th Match, Group A | Australia vs South Africa - 7th Match, Group B | Afghanistan vs England - 8th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 9th Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs Australia - 10th Match, Group B | England vs South Africa - 11th Match, Group B | New Zealand vs India - 12th Match, Group A | TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, Final |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams
PAKISTAN | NEW ZEALAND | BANGLADESH | INDIA | AFGHANISTAN | SOUTH AFRICA | AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND
