England might be controlling the series in Bangladesh with bat and ball, but in the Indian Premier League it is the players not selected for the side that are catching the eye.

Owais Shah made a blistering 58 from 46 balls on the opening day in a match-winning performance for his side, whilst Ravi Bopara held the King’s XI’s innings together with a composed 56 from 48 yesterday.

With both players on the fringes of England’s limited overs side, the Indian Premier League is giving them a chance to display their talents against international opposition.

Neither is disappointing.

Bopara has made no secret of the fact that he sees the IPL as a route back into the England set-up. Following three consecutive centuries against the West Indies in 2009, he endured a dire run of form at No. 3 and was subsequently dropped from the team in favour of Jonathan Trott.

He recently told the BBC Asian Network, “”This could be my way of getting back in the England side and performing. It’s a nice shop window in the IPL.”

Owais Shah has had a similar impact on his side, forging a match-winning partnership with Angelo Mathews to help his side defeat last year’s champions, the Deccan Chargers.

Both are part of the provisional 30-man squad for the World Twenty20 and their displays in the IPL over the next month could determine whether they makes the trip to the West Indies.

Shah and Bopara will both face the Bangalore Royal Challengers next, with Kolkata playing today and the Kings XI in action on Tuesday.

A few more eye-catching performances from either would certainly put them in the frame for the World T20 when it begins on April 30.