India vice-captain KL Rahul on Friday (October 2) expressed surprise after he was adjudged Player-of-the-Match for his knock in the second T20I against South Africa in Guwahati.

According to Rahul, middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav should have been declared Player-of-the-Match for his scintillating innings.

Notably, Suryakumar slammed 61 off 22 balls with 5 fours and as many sixes while Rahul scored 57 off 28 balls. Virat Kohli (49* off 28 balls), Rohit Sharma (43 off 37 balls) and Dinesh Karthik (17* off 7 balls) also made notable contributions with the bat, propelling India to a massive 237/3 in 20 overs.

"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 at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Before this knock, KL Rahul had come under the scanner for his cautious batting approach and strike rate. He also looked rusty in the preceding home T20I series against Australia.

The opening batter was pleased to adapt to different conditions against South Africa heading into the T20 World Cup 2022, slated to be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13.

"It does (feel satisfying). It is important as an opener to understand what is required on a day and give it your best. It is the mindset I have always played in and will continue to do the same. Satisfying to test yourself in different conditions," he added.

Coming to the match, India defeated South Africa by 16 runs in a high-scoring affair to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.

Chasing the mammoth target, the Proteas rode on David Miller’s whirlwind century (106* off 47 balls) to post 221/3 in their allotted 20 overs.

The third and final T20I will be played in Indore on Tuesday (October 4).