Follow UsBangladesh will be up against India in what will be a tournament opener for both the teams in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The match, which will be played on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, will see India come in as favourites. However, there are certain Bangladesh players who can hurt the Indian team big time.
Here are three such Bangladesh players, who could become a headache for India if not tamed at the earliest.
He might not be the captain of the Bangladesh ODI unit, but he definitely is the biggest asset they have. The bowling all-rounder Mehidy Hsan Miraz, has been the best player for the Tigers ever since the last World Cup in 2023. Not only does he have 19 wickets, second highest for Bangladesh in that period, but has also scored 553 runs, third most for a batter in the side.
The 27-year-old has a batting average of 30 with four fifties to his credit. As for his record against India, Miraz has a century and averages 47 in seven matches with the bat.
Taskin Ahmed, the true speed merchant from Bangladesh, will be a sure-shot threat to the Indian batters. The 29-year-old has taken 14 wickets against India in just seven ODIs at an outstanding average of 21 and strike rate of 22.3.
As far as the current form of the right-arm pacer is concerned, Taskin has taken 19 wickets in 14 games at an average of 33.7 and a strike rate of 37.3, both of which are the best for any Bangladeshi bowler in that period.
Mahmudullah, the senior statesman of the Bangladeshi unit, is still their best batter. Since October 5, 2023, i.e. the start of the ODI World Cup 2023, the 39-year-old has scored 665 runs in 17 innings at an average of 51.15 and a strike rate of 93. This is the most for any Bangladesh batter in that period.
As far as Mahmudullah’s record against India is concerned, the right-hander, who can also roll his arm over for off-spin, has scored 476 runs with three fifties at an average of 36.62. He has also taken three wickets against the Men in Blue.