3 Reasons why India can win the T20I series against South Africa

After two months of an action-packed IPL 2022 season, the international commitments are back for the Indian side as their tight schedule gets underway, with the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. The first T20I takes place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on the 9th of June and will go on until the 19th of June in Bengaluru.

The series will act as good preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia and Rishabh Pant has replaced KL Rahul as the skipper for the Indian side after the latter’s injury. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have all been rested for the series while the performances of IPL have been rewarded as well.

India have won their last 12 T20Is and they have particularly dominated the home series against West Indies and Sri Lanka under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. India will look to extend their purple patch despite South Africa having some prominent players in the ranks.

3 Reasons why India can win the T20I series against South Africa:

Return of a fully fit Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya was one of the top performers in the IPL 2022 season and he was back at his best, especially in the batting department for the Gujarat Titans. Pandya has faced a lot of issues with his back which kept his place in the Indian side in jeopardy. He was even given a long break as well to recover his full fitness.

He came back strong by winning the IPL title for his franchise in their very first season as captain and impressed a lot of experts as well. The 28-year-old can win matches on his own, and his ball-striking ability is one of the best in the business. He also delivered with the ball in the finals against Rajasthan Royals and bowled his overs with a lot of intelligence.

Pandya’s last international match was in the T20 World Cup 2021, and he will be the top contender for the all-rounder spot in the side if he can keep bowling the same way he did. India will reap huge benefits from Pandya’s form with bat and ball as the Baroda lad has shown a lot of maturity.