Did Sunil Gavaskar deny Suryakumar Yadav the' Player of the Match' award?

KL Rahul and Suryakumar scored explosive half-centuries in the second T20I against South Africa in Guwahati. The former scored 57 runs in just 28 balls including five fours and four sixes. With this, Rahul has managed to shut down his critics for a while who have questioned his strike rate. On the other hand, Yadav scored 22-ball 61 and completed his fifty in just 18 balls.

This inning ensured that Rahul's good work continued and the team reached 237/4. Somehow, the Mumbaikar's innings of 61 runs mattered in the end. After struggling at 70/3 after 10 overs, the Proteas managed to get 221/3, losing the game by just 16 runs. Even though the difference might not be that close, it would have been much bigger if not for David Miller and Quinton de Kock's heroics.

After the game, the Player of the Match was given to Rahul. For the unversed, the award is nominated by the commentary panel in the game. The panel consisted of former India opening batters of different eras - Sunil Gavaskar, Aakash Chopra, and Robin Uthappa.

I am surprised I am getting the Man of the Match award: KL Rahul

Meanwhile, after getting the reward, the Bangalore player was surprised and expected Yadav to get the award. The vice-captain of the Men In Blue said that Yadav changed the game for the team. Rahul added that it is easy for openers to think their job is tough. He also mentioned his middle-order experience and the challenges related to it.

“I am surprised I am getting the Man of the Match award, Surya should have gotten it. He changed the game,” Rahul said at the post-match presentation.

“As openers, we would like to think that our job is the most difficult but having batted in the middle order, I have realised that it is (equally) difficult,” Rahul added.

India will now play the last T20I on October 4 in Indore. After this, the T20I side will head to Australia for the 20-20 World Cup 2022.