India, Dec. 20 -- South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said that he would be "surprised" if Hardik Pandya didn't win the Player of the Series accolade for his performance against the Proteas, and this is exactly what happened. Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was given the award; however, there is no denying that it was Pandya who was the difference between the two teams. In his comeback series, the all-rounder scored 142 runs in four matches and also returned with three wickets.

The fifth and final T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium brought out the best in Hardik as he hammered 63 runs off just 25 balls with the help of five boundaries and five sixes, batting at an astonishing rate of 252. With the ball as well, he took the crucial wicket of Dewa...