India vs South Africa T20I Series: From Hardik Pandya to Umran Malik, 5 Indian Players to watch out for

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New Delhi, June 3: The recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 witnessed some scintillating performances from Indian cricketers. Many such players were rewarded for putting an exhibition of their talents in the toughest domestic T20 league in the world by getting included in the 18-men squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa.

Team India will lock horns with South Africa in the five-T20I series, starting June 9 in what is deemed as their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

The opening game of the highly-anticipated series will act as a platform for the Men In Blue to chase an all-time record of winning 13 straight T20I matches on the bounce under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. Team India has already won 12 T20Is back-to-back and would be aiming to keep the winning momentum going under acting-skipper KL Rahul's leadership.

While the Indian squad looks ravishing, with talent aplenty, here are five Indian players to watch out for in the series.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya dished out a fitting response to his naysayers when he delivered one of the most influential all-round displays in an IPL final. The Gujarat Titans skipper was surrounded with plenty of flak going into the season with concerns about his fitness, but the star India all-rounder knocked them out of the park as he steered his side to the title in front of a record attendance on his team's home ground. Hardik wrapped up the season with 487 runs and 8 wickets and goes into the T20I series oozing with confidence. There's no denying that a lot of the spotlight will be on this mean all-rounder.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul's leadership together with his batting has earned him great plaudits - all that was on display during Lucknow Super Giants' campaign in the IPL 2022. Although he would have wished to be on the winning side in the 'Eliminator' against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rahul has had a stellar season. The opening batsman has scored 616 runs at an average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 135.38 and enters international duty beaming with momentum and form. However, his strike rate and ability to finish the game will be under scrutiny as many critics have been blaming the right-handed batter for keeping his personal milestones ahead of the team.

Dinesh Karthik

A comeback story like no other! Dinesh Karthik did not just knock at the selection doors but slammed them wide open with a scintillating performance in the IPL. Karthik, who won the IPL's 'Super Striker of the Season' award with a jaw-dropping strike rate of 183, proved his 'finisher' tag once again. With 330 runs at an average of 55, Karthik would like to replicate his IPL performances with the Indian jersey and in his own words, "will want to do something special for his country."

Umran Malik

Speed has a new name in India! The Sunrisers Hyderabad pace sensation from J&K caught everyone's attention with his bowling clocking in excess of 150 kmph every match. Until the IPL final, Umran Malik had the award for bowling the fastest delivery of the season at 157 kmph, until Lockie Ferguson snatched it with a 157.3 kmph thunderbolt. In the 14 IPL matches he has featured in his debut season, Umran has scalped 22 wickets with his best performance of 5/25 - the best in the history of the league - against eventual champions Gujarat Titans. Legends of the game have all backed this gun bowler and it remains to be seen if he continues to beat the speed against South Africa.

Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh has been another pacer who has been most exciting in the IPL. The 23-year-old has been the go-to bowler for Punjab Kings in the death, his immaculate toe crushers, ability to bowl wide Yorkers, and targeting the block hole has reaped great rewards for his side. Arshdeep finished the season with 10 wickets in 14 matches with his best being 3/37 and an economy rate of 7.70. He will be eager to continue this form in the series too.