The Best Fielder Medal, which took the internet by storm during the ICC World Cup 2023, is back in the Indian dressing room to acknowledge the efforts put by the players on the field. But unlike the World Cup, the medallions will now be handed following the conclusion of every series and will be called as the ‘Impact Fielder of the T20I Series’.
On Thursday, fielding coach T Dilip announced the development in the dressing room after India defeated South Africa 104 runs in a must-win 3rd T20I, ending the series 1-1. Speaking with the players, Dilip shortlisted three contenders based on their outstanding efforts on the field.
Starting with Rinku Singh, Dilip hailed his ‘effort and awareness’ on the field before lauding Yashasvi Jaiswal for ‘taking crucial catches by being at the right positions and right places’. The fielding coach then moved to Siraj, heaping praise on the latter’s ‘amazing skillset despite being a fast-bowler’ and declaring him the winner.
“We talk about making a difference not just in one match but throughout the series. The perseverance with which he was going through the World Cup is still there. Every time he bowls, he comes back and dives and throws the ball. Today he made the difference in the field with the direct hit. Earlier, it was with his boundary line fielding,” said Dilip while presenting the medal to Siraj.
View this post on Instagram
Waiting for the medal since World Cup 2023: Siraj
Siraj was the happiest on receiving the medal. He said he has been waiting for it since the World Cup and finally got it in South Africa.
“Kabse Inteezar tha mujhe iss medal ka, World Cup se (I was waiting for so long for this medal since World Cup),” Siraj Said.
“I have recieved it today, the lesson for this is… Never Give up,” he added.
India Beat South Africa to level series
Captain Suryakumar Yadav produced a hundred of rare brilliance and Kuldeep Yadav worked his inimitable sorcery with a fifer as India registered a comprehensive 106-run series-levelling win over South Africa in the third and final T20I here on Thursday.
Suryakumar’s 100 off 56 balls that contained seven fours and eight sixes and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fluent 60 off 41 balls carried India to 201 for 7 after the visitors were asked to bat first.
Indian bowlers, especially left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (5/17), who turned 29 on Thursday, managed to hit better lengths to bundle out SA for 95 in 13.5 overs.
