4 reasons the Sri Lanka Test series is preparation for the South Africa tour

Spinners will be put to the test

Ravichandran Ashwin has not had the best form of late

India's spinners have traditionally done well on drier, flatter tracks - which makes it surprising that BCCI team management wanted the SL series to be a test for them, considering they asked specifically for grassier pitches. But the spinners have done well once the Test progresses and the pitch dries up, which should be similar to conditions in South Africa.

Ravichandran Ashwin is among those struggling for form at the moment, as is Ravindra Jadeja - and the Indian spin duo went without a wicket in the first Test.

Ashwin was economical in his bowling spell in the first innings, but only spent 8 overs with the leather, while Jadeja bowled an over in each innings as the pacers took centrestage.

The two were dropped from the ODI side owing to lacklustre performances in the seasons leading up to India's series against New Zealand and after that, Sri Lanka for the ODI series. The two initially started as ODI specialists and since moved to focus on Tests, but now are failing to fire here.

South Africa could be the make-or-break for spinners in general, and Ashwin in Jadeja in particular.