India vs South Africa T20Is: Five players to watch out for

India will lock horns with South Africa in a three match T20I series, starting September 28th, Wednesday. This is the last set of matches both team play, before heading to Australia for the T20 World Cup, 2022. India, inspite of winning a T20I series in South Africa, have never won a T20I series at home against the visitors. The Men in Blue would like to break this streak and win the series.

Also Read: India vs South Africa 1st T20I: Records, stats and pitch report

Here’s a list of five players to watch out for in this T20I series:

1. Tristan Stubbs:

Tristan Stubbs was one of the X factors in South Africa’s away win in T20I vs England this year. He stunned everyone with his innings in the first T20I as he smashed 72 runs off just 28 deliveries in the second innings, when the majority of South African batters fell victim to England’s pace assault. Recognizing his immense value, the youngster also received the one of the highest bid of Rand 9.2 million (about USD 520,000) during the first SA20 player auction in Cape Town.

2. Reeza Hendricks: 

Hendricks has had a phenomenal year in T20 cricket. He notched half-centuries in each of the three matches he played against England in the three match away series, and in his two innings against Ireland in Bristol, he scored 74 and 42. He, along with Quinton de Kock will be a potent opening pair for South Africa going into the T20 World Cup.

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3. Rohit Sharma:

The skipper has been in good touch this year. But he really hasn’t been able to convert his good starts to large scores. The Hitman has scored only one half century in his last ten T20Is, when he scored 72 runs against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup. He came really close to a half ton in the second T20I vs Australia, but couldn’t as the game was reduced to eight overs a side. However, seeing this as the last stage of preparations for the WC, the skipper would like more runs to flow from his bat. He already has the most runs in India vs South Africa T20Is with 362 runs. 

4. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar: 

The Sunrisers Hyderabad bowler had a dreadful death over performance in the Asia Cup and the T20I series against Australia. Bhuvneshwar’s recent figures in the 19th over in particular has been troubling for India as he gave up 19 runs against Pakistan and 14 runs against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup while also going for 16 runs in the first T20I match against Australia in Mohali. On Sunday night in Hyderabad, Rohit used the senior bowler in the 18th over, but he again leaked 21 runs.

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5. Jasprit Bumrah: 

Bumrah missed the Asia Cup and the first game vs Australia due to a back injury. He didn’t seen to lose his edge as he ended his comback game with brilliant figures of 1/23. However, in the very next match, he ended up conceding 50 runs in his four over spell, the most he ever has in his T20I. The Mumbai Indians bowler would like to make the best use of the series to fine tune himself, as he will be India’s leading bowler heading into the World Cup.