IND vs SA T20Is: Players to watch out for during the series

CHENNAI: India is set to take on South Africa in three-match T20I series from September 28 onwards. This will be their last chance to test their players, combinations and strategies ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in October. Here are players to watch out for across both sides.

KL Rahul

This batter has blown hot and cold ever since his return to the national side during Asia Cup. Not a lot is going in his favour as either his strike rate or his poor performances in crucial matches is under question. This series is one last chance for KL to showcase his peak form and end all talks of him having a poor strike rate, having Virat Kohli replace him as an opener or him getting removed from the team altogether.

Virat Kohli

A century under his belt. A fifty-plus average. Three half-centuries and a new urge to attack bowlers. This is what Virat's return has been marked by. The star batter will be looking forward to regaining his supreme form ahead of the World Cup as Kohli scoring well, raising his bat for 50s and 100s will be a sight that every fan would like to watch in World Cup.

Suryakumar Yadav

This Mumbai-batter is a name men's team has been able to count on in T20Is throughout the year and has established himself as a middle-order staple. The world number three batter in T20Is will look forward to have another good series under his belt, which will raise his hype, his intimidation way more ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2022.

Axar Patel

With talks of Hardik Pandya being rested for the T20I series, Axar will have giant shoes to fill in as India's key all-rounder option in Pandya's absence. His bowling in series against Australia earned him a 'Man of the Series' award and he has given no worries to fans and management so far.

It would be interesting if he takes his batting a notch above, just like he has been all year, so as to not let India get affected by Pandya's possible absence.

Jasprit Bumrah

India's best fast bowler has just returned from an injury. He delivered a solid performance in Australia series, though he went for runs in the final T20I. Bumrah being at his very best would be key for Men in Blue's chances at lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.

Aiden Markram

Markram has had great numbers in the shortest format this year, both in international cricket and in domestic leagues like IPL. He is currently the world's number 2 T20I batter. South Africa will need consistent performances from this batter if they want to do well in this series and in the World Cup.

Tristan Stubbs

Stubbs announced his arrival to international cricket in style, by smashing 72 off 28 balls against England, that consisted of 2 fours and 8 sixes. Later, because of consistent performances in domestic T20 cricket, he became the biggest buy in the SA20 League auction, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape splurging Rand 9.2 million (USD 520,000 approx.) on him. Living up to this price tag will be a huge task for him.

Wayne Parnell

This bowling all-rounder has recently returned to international cricket after five years. Eyes will be on the veteran to deliver in a series against quality opposition like India so that he is able to justify his comeback after so long.

Anrich Nortje

The SA pacer is heading into the series after a great outing in England, where he took 10 wickets in three Tests. He has taken five T20I scalps in six matches this year. He will have to perform really well and lead the pace attack from the front to help his side win the series.

Kagiso Rabada

This star pacer is on a roll, stamping his authority during the Test series against England, where he was the joint-leading wicket taker with 14 scalps. He will have to complement Nortje and Parnell really well and this trio could be deadly for Men in Blue.