Why Bangladesh Have An Edge Over India Ahead Of Champions Trophy 2025 Match? Ex BAN Star Explains

As Bangladesh gear up to face India in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy on February 20, former Tigers' opener Imrul Kayes believes his side has a golden chance to put pressure on the Indian bowling attack in the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

India, considered one of the strongest contenders in the tournament, will go into the match as clear favorites. However, Bangladesh, despite enduring a rough patch in ODIs, sees Bumrah's absence as a key factor that could work in their favor.

"India is a strong side with a great bowling attack and batting lineup. But Bumrah is not in the squad. We all know what he has done in the last two years for Indian cricket. His absence gives Bangladesh a chance to capitalize," Kayes told PTI Videos.

India's Bowling Concerns

With Bumrah missing, the Men in Blue will rely on a pace attack led by an experienced yet possibly rusty Mohammed Shami, alongside young guns Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. While Shami's return is significant, questions remain over his fitness and match readiness.

"Shami's inclusion is big. He may be struggling a bit with fitness right now, but if he finds his rhythm, he will be a big threat for Bangladesh," Kayes remarked.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, are also missing key players. Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is unavailable, and the team have struggled with the form of Litton Das. However, the recent performances of Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Tamim in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) provide some optimism.

Shakib's Absence and Mehidy Hasan's Role

Kayes admitted that Shakib's absence will be felt deeply, particularly in the bowling department.

"I definitely miss Shakib because he is a very good player. His impact on any match is immense. At the moment, Bangladesh is struggling. They are struggling because if Shakib is not playing, Bangladesh might play an additional spinner. That's the main problem."

Despite this setback, he is confident that vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz can step up as Bangladesh's key all-rounder.

"If you see Mehidy Hasan, when he came to the national team, he was new, but his courage is amazing. His character shows he is a champion player. He doesn't care about anybody; he always believes, 'I will do it.'

"Mehidy can bat anywhere. In the 2018 Asia Cup final, he opened the batting against India. Shakib can also bat anywhere. So, if you compare, Mehidy will probably fill the gap.

"But bowling-wise, Bangladesh will miss Shakib because he is a left-handed spinner. The impact he creates with his bowling is invaluable for our team," Kayes emphasized.

Can Bangladesh Exploit India's Weakness?

While India remain a formidable opponent, Bangladesh have reasons to be optimistic. Their biggest advantage lies in their familiarity with subcontinental conditions and the potential vulnerability of India's bowling attack without Bumrah. If Bangladesh's top order, particularly Soumya and Tanzid, can capitalize on any early waywardness from India's pacers, they could put the opposition under serious pressure.

With Shakib absent, much will depend on Mehidy Hasan Miraz's all-round performance, while the Tigers will also hope for a solid contribution from experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah.

As the countdown to February 20 begins, Bangladesh see a rare window of opportunity against one of the tournament's giants. Whether they can turn this into a historic win remains to be seen, but with the right execution, they might just spring a surprise.