India vs South Africa: 5 Indian Players For Whom South Africa T20Is Could Be Crucial

After over two months of hectic Indian Premier League (IPL), the Indian cricket team players are gearing up for the five-match T20I series against the South African cricket team, starting on Thursday. The series will be among the build-up contests that India will take part in as they look to find the perfect combination for the 2022 T20 World in Australia in October-November. Most of the senior members including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested while KL Rahul will lead the side. The series presents a great chance to the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik and Dinesh Karthik make their case stronger for a longer run.

A look at the five Indian players for whom South Africa T20Is could be crucial

1. Dinesh Karthik

The wicketkeeper-batter played the perfect finisher's role in the IPL 2022 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He had a strike-rate of 183.33 as he tallied 330 runs in 16 matches as his team made it to the playoffs. Due to that performance, the BCCI selectors have given the 37-year-old a chance in the Indian cricket squad after a long gap. The last time Karthik played an international match was in July, 2019. If he can put up a good show against the Proteas, he might be considered for the finishers' role in the longer run.

2. Ishan Kishan

That he has been given a chance in the series despite a poor IPL 2022 and overlooking the good show by Shikhar Dhawan, means that the 23-year-old Ishan has the selectors' backing, for now. Kishan, who is one of the costliest ever players in the IPL, scored only 418 in 14 matches for Mumbai Indians at an average of 32.15 in the 2022 edition. However, he needs to do more if he wants to keep his place in the squad intact, especially with several other