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

Test for openers to bat on tricky pitches

Shikhar Dhawan has recused himself from the second Test against SL

India's Test openers have been hit-and-miss this season, and even within the same match. Both KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan got out cheaply - Rahul for a duck - in the first innings, but managed to come back in the second as they formed two of only three players who took India to a significant total.

Rahul in particular had been having quite the purple patch of form ahead of his opening stint against Sri Lanka, but has in his own words "failed to build to 50s and 100s frequently."

Dhawan did not do as well coming into the Test, and in fact came in on the back of an extended hiatus to support his wife through health issues. The usually explosive opener, who has proved his mettle across formats, has recused himself along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the second Test.

(Bhuvi will also sit out the remainder of the series as he is due to get married soon.)

If Dhawan makes the cut to open on Tour in January (which it seems likely he will do), he will have a task ahead of him on the grassy pitches, given their propensity for providing for low-scoring games.

It is possible Abhinav Mukund, who has relatively less experience on the international Test stage, could partner Dhawan in the opening slot, and that will pose a strong test to the openers - especially should South Africa ask India to set a total first.