Kris Srikkanth feels that Virat Kohli's epic century in the first ODI between India and South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30, overshadowed significant contributions from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja.

While Kohli hogged the limelight with his 52nd ODI ton, Srikkanth opined that Rahul and Jadeja's 65-run stand off just 36 balls for the sixth wicket helped India finish strongly in the first innings and set up a formidable total of 349/8 after being asked to bat first by the Proteas.

Kohli departed in the 43rd over after scoring a majestic 135 off 120 balls.

Rahul smashed 60 off just 56 balls, and Jadeja contributed with a 20-ball 32, giving the South African bowlers no respite whatsoever.

"His (Jadeja) knock of 29 (32) from 17 (20) balls went unnoticed. He also actually played at a different level. The final KL Rahul-Jadeja partnership was outstanding but went unnoticed. That was a key and both clobbered the bowling given their strike rates in the partnership. Nobody saw that effect because everything was overshadowed by Virat Kohli's knock. They did the job silently without making noise about it," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

If KL Rahul had batted higher in the order, it would have been better for India: Srikkanth

The former India captain, however, questioned the move to send all-rounder Washington Sundar ahead of stand-in skipper Rahul. Srikkanth mentioned that Rahul should never bat below No. 5.

"I don't know about Washington Sundar going ahead of him. If KL Rahul had batted higher in the order, it would have been better for India. He should never go below 5. Yes, it was a successful move in the Champions Trophy.

But I don't think you should make it a habit. He should be batting at No. 4 or 5. Washington Sundar can go as a finisher rather than coming in at No. 5," he added.

"Classy Rolls-Royce Rahul, India can't do without him. He scored his 60 with effortless ease. Once he struck that six off Burger, he was unstoppable. But I don't understand why KL Rahul comes into bat at No. 6. He should be batting at No. 4 or 5, not beyond that. I don't understand this logic at all," Srikkanth questioned.

The Men in Blue won the match by 17 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second ODI takes place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3.