India's tour of Bangladesh: 5 things to look out for in this mini-series

India will be touring Bangladesh in a few days. The squads for both teams have been announced and interestingly, India has sent one of its most inexperienced sides in years. In reply, the announced squad of Bangladesh consists of big and established names.This tour is important for Team India to gain momentum before the longseasonwhich starts with the English tour.Here are the five things to look for in this series between two neighbours.

#5 A motivated Bangladesh side

"I didn't expect them to take this series so lightly. We have a chance to give a reply on the field. There is extra motivation. They haven't invited us yet so if we do well in this series, it sends a message.” - Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh Skipper)

The team has had enough of being taken lightly time and again. This time India has rested all its key players and are going in with a totally new face value. Bangladesh skipper has made several comments which have hinted at their disappointment.

With Indian youngsters trying to prove a point and Bangladesh fielding their best side to protect their pride, this series is going to be an absolute thriller.

#4 India\'s playing XI

This one is a brain teaser. I did do a slidshow on this last night but it is still very much in the air for me.

India is going to Dhaka with 3 pace options and only one experienced specialist spinner in Amit Mishra. On the slow pitches that Bangladesh has to offer, playing 3 pacers is unlikely.

They can play Stuart Binny who can be a Sanjay Bangar-like number 8 who can bowl a mild pace which is not very effective if not done correctly. Binny, with all due respect, has not been impressive lately. There are Akshar Patel and Parvez Rasool fighting for one place and both deserve a spot.

The lack of enough specialist bowlers can hinder their hopes of winning this series.

It will be interesting to see what combination does India play.

#3 Uthappa Barrage

Robin Uthappa will have to play an important role if India is looking to seal the deal this time.

He was the best batsman in IPL and it has fetched him a much awaited, much deserved comeback to the national side.

His shall be the most priced wicket for the bowling led by Shakib and company.

A lot will depend on the kind of start he gives early on. Expect him to be the epicenter of Indian batting attack this time around.

#2 Suresh Raina\'s captaincy

Suresh Raina has been called upon to lead the side in the past, but like always, he’ll be heading a bunch of inexperienced players. In the absence of Dhoni and Kohli, he is the most important player in the team (at least in limited overs cricket) and the most experienced batsman.

The think tank has shown enough confidence in him time and again, and against a stronger integrated Bangladesh, this is not going to be a bed of roses for this southpaw.

His performance has seen crests and troughs in recent times and hitting a homerun here would mean a world for his own career and country’s pride.

#1 Performance of Indian youngsters

There has been a lot of hoopla around the squad selection of Team India for this tour.

Having rested all the senior players (8 top players are on vacation), a lot will depend on how the young guns perform.

Losing to Bangladesh is not the most shameful thing in the world anymore. They have some worldclass players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Still, India losing to Bangladesh would be an upset.The neighbours have done it before (2007 WC, 2012 Asia Cup) and they would love to do it again.

“One should not forget that if they lose, India will lose, not India A.” - Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh skipper)

The youngsters from India have a heapload of responsibility this time around.