South Africa vs India 2018, T20 series: 5 Indian players to watch out for 

India continued their dominance in the ODI series against South Africa by winning the sixth game by 8 wickets, thereby taking the series by 5-1. The Proteas struggled throughout the series, bar the 'Pink ODI', and were no match for the Indian team in all three departments.

After wrapping up the ODI series, Virat Kohli and Co will now look to stamp their authority in the T20 series. Suresh Raina, Jaydev Unadkat and Lokesh Rahul are set to join the T20 squad and would look to perform well.

With some new faces in the side, it will be interesting to see which players stand out in the series. Here are the five players to watch out for in the T20 series against South Africa:

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#5 Lokesh Rahul

KL Rahul looked in sublime touch during the T20 series against Sri Lanka

After a disappointing performance in the Test series against the Proteas, Lokesh Rahul will now look to perform well in the T20 series. He was impressive in the last T20 series against Sri Lanka scoring two half-centuries in three matches.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the Karnataka batsman scored 107 in his last match against Punjab and looked in good touch. Though with with Shikhar Dhawan in red-hot form, it will be difficult for him to find a place in the playing XI straightaway.

If Rahul does get a chance to play, he will look to grab the opportunity and solidify his position in the Indian team with a stellar performance.

#4 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina might be the answer to number 4 batting woes

All eyes will be on Suresh Raina as the Southpaw is all set to make a comeback in the Indian squad after almost 2 years and would like to make every opportunity count.

Raina looked in great touch in Mushtaq Ali T20 series and scored 314 runs in 9 matches with 2 fifties and one brilliant century. He would look to continue his good form in the T20 series.

In all likely scenario, he might bat at no 4. And with India's uncertainties pertaining to the middle-order position in limited-overs, Raina would look to seal the spot with his performance.

#3 Manish Pandey

The Karnataka batsman has been up and down with his form

The musical chair for middle order continued as Ajinkya Rahane, Kedar Jadhav and Shreyas Iyer got their opportunities in the recently concluded ODI series with nobody making a sizable contribution. On the other hand, Manish Pandey did not feature in a single ODI game for the visitors on the tour.

Pandey is most likely to feature in the T20 series with the middle order struggling to make any kind of impact. He will look to take the responsibility of a finisher and make a case for himself for the 50-over format.

#2 Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur was impressive in the sixth ODI

Shardul Thakur made the most of the opportunity presented to him in last ODI of the series and picked up 4 wickets in the game, including the big wicket of opener Hashim Amla.

In the sixth ODI, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was rested keeping his extensive workload in mind. As Thakur is looking in good touch, the former might continue to rest in the initial part of the series.

The 26-year-old right arm fast bowler from Mumbai will be itching to give more performance and make a strong case for the World Cup 2019.

#1 Jaydev Unadkat

Unadkat has looked in ominous form with his consistent bowling performance

The left-arm bowler needs no introduction as Jaydev Unadkat was the costliest Indian player in IPL auction with Rajasthan Royal shelling out Rs. 11.5 crore for his services. He was the purple cap holder in IPL 2017 and was very effective with his subtle variations at crucial junctures of the game.

In the last T20 series against Sri Lanka, Unadkat was adjudged as Man of the series for his spectacular bowling performance. Thereafter in the ongoing Vijay Hazare trophy, he picked up 7 wickets.

Unadkat will get an opportunity in this series as Jasprit Bumrah or Bhuvneshwar Kumar may be rested after playing almost every match in the tour.