As the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers draw near, Bangladesh face a familiar and formidable challenge: stopping India great Sunil Chhetri, who recently reversed his international retirement and scored against the Maldives to take his international goal tally to 95 -- the fourth-highest on the all-time list.

Set to take place on March 25 in Shillong, the clash between the two teams is not just another qualifier; it is a battle between a rejuvenated Bangladeshi side and the man who has haunted them time and again.

This time, however, there's a twist in the tale: the inclusion of Premier League midfielder Hamza Choudhury in the Bangladesh squad.

The Chhetri nightmare

Sunil Chhetri's track record against Bangladesh is nothing short of impressive. Across three major competitions -- the SAFF Championship, World Cup Qualifiers, and international friendlies -- Chhetri has consistently delivered. With six goals in as many matches, the 39-year-old has carved out a reputation as Bangladesh's chief tormentor.

His first major strike came during the 2013 SAFF Championship, where he scored a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw. It was a glimpse of the clutch gene that defined his career.

The next year, Chhetri was at it again – this time in an international friendly. He scored twice, once in the 14th minute and then again in the dying moments (90+2') to snatch a result for India. Bangladesh, who had fought hard to go ahead, could only watch as Chhetri flipped the script single-handedly.

But perhaps his most impactful display came in the 2021 FIFA World Cup Qualifier. With the match heading for a stalemate, Chhetri broke the deadlock with a 79th-minute strike and followed it up with another in added time. The 2-0 win not only gave India vital qualification points but also further cemented Chhetri's dominance over the men in red and green.

Even in the 2021 SAFF Championship, Chhetri made his presence felt again with a 26th-minute goal in a game that ended 1-1. Simply put, when India face Bangladesh, Chhetri delivers his 'A' game.

Enter Hamza Choudhury

Now, as Bangladesh prepare for yet another encounter with their South Asian rivals, they have their hopes pinned on Hamza Choudhury, the Sheffield United midfielder -- on loan from Premier League side Leicester City -- of Bangladeshi descent. His decision to represent Bangladesh has brought renewed optimism, belief, and much-needed grit to the midfield.

Hamza's Premier League experience gives him a tactical edge and a physical presence that Bangladesh have often lacked in high-stakes games. More importantly, his ability to break play, dictate tempo, and lead by example could be crucial in nullifying India's attacking threats -- especially the ever-dangerous Chhetri.

While stopping Chhetri is no easy task, Hamza's inclusion adds an unpredictable dynamic to this match. A disciplined midfield performance could cut off the supply lines to India's talisman and perhaps, for the first time in over a decade, neutralise the Chhetri effect.

Chhetri has been a nightmare Bangladesh haven't been able to wake up from. But with Hamza in the mix, the Bengal Tigers finally have a player capable of changing that narrative. On March 25, it won't just be about qualifying points -- it'll be about whether Bangladesh can exorcise the Chhetri curse and usher in a new era, one led by a Premier League star.