IND vs SA 2022: 3 takeaways for India from the drawn T20I series

With the final game of the five-match India vs South Africa T20I series ending in a no-result in Bengaluru, Team India are yet to beat the Proteas in a home series in the shortest format of the game. However, they will take a lot of heart from the fact that they managed to level the series despite being 0-2 down after the first two games.

Many were calling for some of the Indian players to be dropped after the two losses. However, the faith shown by Rahul Dravid and the team management instilled confidence into the players, inspiring them to beat the same opposition twice.

With the T20 World Cup just a few months away, here are three takeaways from India's 2-2 draw with South Africa:

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#3 Ishan Kishan impressing at the top

Ishan Kishan scored 418 runs in the IPL 2022 season for the Mumbai Indians (MI) but only at a strike rate of 120.11. Many felt his huge price tag was what bogged him down. Some also raised questions when he was selected for the South Africa series.

However, with KL Rahul injured, Kishan stepped up and answered his critics in style. In five innings, he scored 206 runs at an average of 41.20 and a strike rate in excess of 154.

Rahul has been injury prone and captain Rohit Sharma, too, has often struggled to find form. It could possibly open up an opportunity for Ishan Kishan to prove himself and nail down his place in India's T20 World Cup squad.

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#2 Bhuvneshwar Kumar's swing

Bhuvneshwar Kumar had burst onto the scene as a genuine swing bowler who didn't have express pace. Over the years, Bhuvneshwar began to lose his ability to swing the ball both ways as he tried to increase his pace.

Injuries also didn't help his cause as he was in and out of the team. However, the 32-year-old came roaring back in the IPL 2022 season. In 14 games, Bhuvneshwar picked up 12 wickets at an economy rate of just 7.34.

What was heartening to see was that he swung the ball in the powerplay and got wickets upfront. He continued the form against South Africa too with six scalps. If he maintains this form, Bhuvneshwar will be absolutely lethal in the T20 World Cup.

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#1 Dinesh Karthik & Hardik Pandya's finishing

Hardik Pandya's dip in form last year affected India in the T20 World Cup and many felt the 28-year-old was no longer in his prime. However, he went back to the drawing board, worked on his batting and bowling, and played an important role in the Gujarat Titans winning the IPL 2022 season.

Yet, quite a few people had their doubts as to whether Hardik, the finisher, would be at his best as he batted at No. 4 in the IPL. But as seen against South Africa, both him and Dinesh Karthik showed in the fourth T20I what they are capable of if they get together.

While Hardik amassed 117 runs, Karthik made a fairytale comeback to the Indian team with 92 runs in the series.

Many now believe the 37-year-old is the finisher the Men in Blue need in Australia. Both Hardik and Karthik can form a lethal duo in the lower middle-order for India and that could be their X-factor in the showpiece event.