When Test cricket returns to Fatullah today, the fans will expect more from an experienced Bangladesh side against India than what they did against similarly mighty Australia here nine years ago.

Experience will not be an issue for the Mushfiqur Rahim-led team when they lock horns in a one-off Test match against India, who are making a fresh start under Virat Kohli, who not only will play his first Test against Bangladesh, but also will begin his journey as the full-time Test captain.

The hosts have the experience to spoil new-look India's dream of making a winning start in Kohli's new era. When Bangladesh last played India in January 2010, there were players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, so the Tigers' lack of experience was apparent. However, with only three Indian players remaining from that team, the Tigers, rather Mushfiqur, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan have played more Tests than most of the current Indian players, barring Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma.

Yet the tune in the Bangladesh camp is that a draw will be considered as good as a win, as the Tigers are yet to ensure a strong footing on the longest-version of the game since they were elevated to the highest level in 2000. The expectations are high as the hosts are now in good shape following their impressive performances in the World Cup, which they followed with a historic success against Pakistan in the last home series; with a whitewash in the limited-overs series and a drawn Test match.

The performance in the second Test against Pakistan however, served to remind the fact that Bangladesh still have a long way to go to establish themselves as a good Test unit, similar to their ODI team, and the one-off Test against India presents an opportunity for the team to show the world that they are on their way to achieving the goal in Test cricket also.

And undoubtedly the Tigers' batsmen should step under the scorching heat to push the Indian team in the lone Test, when the reality for the Tigers is that their bowling is the weak-link and Shakib Al Hasan will be looking to provide the respite with some breakthroughs when they face a young but very strong batting line-up on a placid surface.

Leg-spinner Jubair Hossain, the blue-eyed boy of coach Chandika Hathurusingha, has a very good chance of returning to action -- after making his debut against Zimbabwe in November last year -- to add variety to the bowling attack in place of Shuvagata Hom, while the team think-tank was also wondering whether it would be good to rest pacer Rubel Hossain, in order to get him fresh for the ODIs, and go with only one pacer in Mohammad Shahid. Whatever the bowling combination is, it will be a hard job for them under difficult conditions.

Mushfiqur was not at his best against Pakistan in the Test series, but the best Bangladeshi batsman can turn things around, especially since he is most likely to be relieved from the hard job behind the wicket, as uncapped Litton Das is all set to stand behind the stumps in the Test. The absence of injured Mahmudullah Riyad also allowed a chance for the little man to be promoted up the batting order, which has been a long-cherished desire from cricket pundits in the country.

Test matches are always an opportunity for the Tigers and it's time to make most of it, especially when the opponents are India.