India vs South Africa: Suryakumar should have got the Player of the Match award, says ‘surprised’ KL Rahul

South Africa tour of India: KL Rahul hit a 28-ball 57 in India's 16-run win over South Africa on Sunday. Suryakumar Yadav also hit a fifty (a 22-ball 61) as India posted their 4th highest T20I total of 237.

India vice-captain KL Rahul said he was surprised when he was adjudged the Player of the Match in the 2nd of.a 3-match T20I series against South Africa in Guwahati on Sunday. Rahul said Suryakumar Yadav deserved the recognition for his 22-ball 61, saying the whirlwind knock in the middle-overs made a more significant impact on India's 16-run win in a high-scoring game wherein more than 450 runs were scored.

India had more than one significant contributor with the bat as the World N0.1 T20I side flaunted its firepower. KL Rahul, who hit a patient 51 in the first T20I, was at his imperious best, smashing 4 sixes and 5 boundaries for his 27-ball 58.

Rahul proved criticism about his strike rate wrong by going after the highly-rated South African pace attack from the word go after Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to field. Rahul struck at 203 and looked set for a big total but he was trapped LBW by Keshav Maharaj, who was the lone bowler who was able to make an impact on a high-scoring pitch on Sunday.

After a 98-run opening stand, Suryakumar Yadav took over, sending the South African bowlers on a leather hunt. Suryakumar hit 5 sixes and 5 boundaries as he tore into the bowling unit. Suryakumar and Virat Kohli stitched a 100-plus match-winning stand for the 3rd wicket as India posted a record total of 237 on the board.

"I am surprised I am getting the Man of the Match award, Surya should have gotten it. He changed the game. Having batted in the middle order, I have realized that it is difficult. DK doesn't always get too many balls to face, and he was phenomenal, and so were Surya and Virat," KL Rahul said after India's 16-run win.

KL Rahul had been criticised for his strike rate and inability to bat at a sustained high tempo ever since he returned from a long injury layoff at the Asia Cup. Rahul looked rusty even in the home series against Australia but the star batter spent time out in the middle in Thiruvananthapuram in difficult batting conditions.

Rahul said he is happy that he was able to adapt to different conditions against South Africa in the lead-up to the World Cup.