Mixed results, but invaluable experience

There is always one pesky subject every semester that toys with the general bliss of college life. Equating this scenario to India's sudden and brief tour of Bangladesh, it wasn't pegged as the equivalent of subatomic physics or organic chemistry, but in light of a few trick questions - the pitch, the monsoon and Bangladesh's much-improved pace battery - India might well take their 2-0 score.

Suresh Raina's second series triumph in three attempts as captain was founded on intelligent bowling and a faulty opposition. "Both teams played really well, especially India," is as diplomatic a summation as is imaginable, considering the scores in the final two ODIs: 105, 58 and 119 for 9.

Two of India's players did try to combat the conditions in the third ODI. Cheteshwar Pujara was loathe to venture too far outside off, while Raina exhibited fluency when most of his team-mates struggled and his knack of finding gaps proved useful. The ball was seaming and Bangladesh's quicks had managed to be something they rarely are: relentless. Raina and Pujara's partnership was beginning to grow, but neither batsman was able to convert.

"When wicket is doing something, you can't control that," Raina said after the final game. "You need to just see your strengths, see the way you're shaping up and what sort of strokes you have to play to different bowlers. At that point of time, I think I was looking very good. Unfortunately got out run-out in the previous game and got out today playing sweep against Shakib but still I am looking good, I'm scoring runs. So hopefully in future I'll look to build 15-20 runs into big scores."

Swing has never been beyond India's bowlers, and Stuart Binny showcased that to deadly effect on a murky, rain-riddled night. With the pitch holding sufficient spice, all he needed to do was target middle and off and wait. His 6 for 4 went a decent way to justifying his spot on the flight to England. Though he may not conjure such extravagant success there, his gentle seamers are the kind of nag that would keep batsmen honest.

These lower-profile tours have been known to boost careers. Rohit Sharma had scored consecutive tons in Zimbabwe to earn some breathing space in 2010. Amit Mishra equaled the record for the most wickets taken - 18 - in a bilateral series, against the same opponents in 2013. He then went on to play the World T20. However, Binny would do well to remember the case of Naman Ojha, who got his chance in 2010 but could not cut it.

While the bowlers enjoyed unforseen success, the Indian top order had flown to Bangladesh symbolising promise. Robin Uthappa's form was good enough to help him end a six-year exile from ODIs. Ajinkya Rahane had another opportunity. This could have been the series they provided India with more options for the openers' slots.

They were par in the first game, but came undone when Mirpur channeled Headingley. Uthappa misdirected his aggression and got out to poor shots. He hit the first boundary of the third ODI with a checked drive, but lunged at the next available opportunity. This time the ball wasn't as full, nor was it following a straight line. Rahane was jittery almost every time he batted. To his credit he pushed through to a match-winning hand once, but solidity was still elusive.

The middle-order contenders made less of an impact. Issues of inexperience and poor form were compounded by them getting their first real opportunity when the bowlers were on top. Ambati Rayudu was unable to cope with fast bowler Taskin Ahmed in seam-friendly conditions. Wriddhiman Saha does not get too many opportunities but this proved a test beyond him. Manoj Tiwary would also be disappointed with what he did with his lone opportunity.

Raina could have promoted himself up the order in these conditions. In the third ODI, Bangladesh had forced four right-hand batsmen to nick off before he arrived. Perhaps he could have strapped up at No. 4. He was the captain, the most experienced player and a left-hand batsman as well. Weak artillery for the end of the innings, however, forced Raina to hold himself back.

Raina was brave in electing to bat when conditions were difficult and insisted the series was a useful drill for India's season abroad. They said all the right things and for a brief period showcased it on the field, but should someone wander back to these scorecards a few years down the line, they could not be blamed for thinking India had got away with one.