On the road to the T20 World Cup, to be held in Australia later this year, every match for India is like a session in the laboratory, testing different combinations in search of the ideal mix.

Not that the entire focus is only on experimenting, but finding the right players for the right slots is of utmost importance, a fact that the Indian team management has openly said many times. Captain Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri desperately seek an ICC crown.

Virat’s India don’t seem as mighty in the shorter formats as they do in Tests. The West Indies recently underlined that point during their series in India. So there’s work to be done for sure.

On Tuesday, India and Sri Lanka lock horns in the second T20I of the three-match series. But the match in Indore can be deemed as the series opener as the first game, in Guwahati, was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a damp pitch.

But though there was no play on Sunday, the toss was done and so India’s playing XI was also known. It looks like India will field the same team in Indore.

Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul were the chosen openers. For both, the series against Sri Lanka is extremely crucial to earn a few personal points as they strive to secure their positions in the India XI.

There are almost no questions about Rohit Sharma’s place in the team an opener. But who will partner Rohit when India begin their campaign in Australia?

Rohit, by the way, has been rested for the ongoing series.

Dhawan, a senior member of the team, was once a certainty at the top of the order. But a few injuries and off-form have robbed the Delhi left-hander of that security.

He still enjoys the team management’s faith though. Rahul too is a favourite of the men who matter in the Indian team set-up and has been scoring runs as well.

Dhawan’s strike rate in the shortest format has been an issue for a while and that is one thing he must address quickly. He scored 272 runs in 12 games at a strike rate of 110 last year.

The fact that Dhawan is coming back from an injury makes his task even tougher.

Rahul, on the other hand, has made the most of his opportunities at the top.

So on Tuesday, when the two walk out to open India’s innings, as much as they will be playing against Sri Lanka, there will also be an effort to outperform each other in their quest to be Rohit’s opening partner in the T20 World Cup.

On the bowling front, Kohli had picked a five-man attack, with three pacers and two spinners. He is likely to go in with the same men again.

Needless to say that comeback man Jasprit Bumrah will draw most of the attention. Giving him company will be Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar.

Team India has an enviable record at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. They are unbeaten across all formats at the venue here since 2006.

Dew will be a factor, but the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association has been spraying a special chemical on the outfield to reduce its effect.

• Match starts: 7pm