'I am surprised' - KL Rahul opens up on Suryakumar Yadav not getting Player of the Match

Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (Image Source: Twitter)

After being under the radar for a poor strike rate of late, KL Rahul brought up a well-paced fifty in the second T20I against South Africa played at Guwahati on October 2, Sunday. After being told to bat first by the South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma, Rahul and captain Rohit Sharma started galvanizing right from the start, much to the stupefaction of the South African bowlers. 

On the back of a fusillade start from the Karnataka batter, a thundering innings from Suryakumar Yadav and a heroic finish from Dinesh Karthik, India reached a total of 237 for the loss of three wickets at the end of the first innings. South Africa, on the other hand, came close to the total but fell short by 16 runs. David Miller, the South African veteran, scored an intrepid 46-ball century but in vain. 

The India vice-captain compiled 57 runs to his name off just 27 balls. The pick of the Indian batters was Suryakumar who scored 66 runs off just 22 balls. However, Rahul received the Player of the Match award while many predicted Miller or Suryakumar to win it. 

Surya should have gotten it: KL Rahul

Rahul said that he was surprised by to receive Player of the Match as he felt that Suryakumar deserved the award instead since the latter played with a better strike rate. 

“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,” Rahul said during the post-match presentation. 

Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper said that the team came prepared for the team. Albeit, they have not defeated South Africa in a T20I series in India, the skipper said that they did the hard work.  “All of us came together and said it was what we wanted to do as a team. It might not come across at times, but we want to stick to it. What I have seen in the last 8-10 months is individuals putting their hand up and getting the job done for the team," Rohit said.