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After securing a thrilling 47-run victory over Afghanistan in their Super-8 opener at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 20, the Indian cricket team continued their tradition of honoring the best fielder in the dressing room.
In a departure from previous matches in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024, where special guests like an Indian fan, Yuvraj Singh, and Ravi Shastri presented the best fielder award, this time it was Indian head coach Rahul Dravid who had the privilege of awarding Ravindra Jadeja his well-deserved medal, marking Jadeja’s first accolade of the tournament.
Rahul Dravid presented Ravindra Jadeja with the Best Fielder of the Match award during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Jadeja’s outstanding fielding efforts distinguished him from his teammates, including Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, and Axar Patel, earning him his first such accolade in the tournament.
In the Super-8 clash between India and Afghanistan at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, Jadeja’s exceptional fielding saw him take three crucial catches off Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan, significantly contributing to India’s successful defense of their 181-run total.
The moment was marked by jubilation as Jadeja celebrated by lifting Dravid in a moment of joy after receiving the award from the former legendary cricketer, known for his own prowess as a fielder during his playing days. The camaraderie within Team India was evident during the ceremony, with Jadeja playfully interacting with Mohammed Siraj, highlighting the team’s unity and spirit.
In a video posted by the BCCI on social media, India’s fielding coach T Dilip delivered a speech in the dressing room, building anticipation by hinting at the presenter of the day’s medal. He praised Rahul Dravid, describing him as someone known for his swift reactions and flawless execution throughout his career, emphasizing Dravid’s consistent presence with the team.
Dilip then turned his praise towards Ravindra Jadeja, highlighting his lightning-fast fielding skills and sharp instincts that were prominently on display during the match.
In a lighthearted moment, Jadeja playfully hailed Mohammed Siraj as the best fielder ever, much to the amusement of everyone present. Siraj, who has already been awarded two best fielder medals in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, joined in the laughter along with Rishabh Pant, who has also received similar recognition during the tournament.
In a video shared by the BCCI on social media, Jadeja said: “Thank you so much. This medal is very important, you know, I am very happy to get this medal today. And especially I am very, very inspired by Mohammed Siraj, the one and only, best fielder. Thank you, Siraj, cheers.”
Dilip said: “Top stuff guys. Well done. I think one of the key factors in fielding is acclimatized to the venue and conditions. We all adapted quickly and we made our field our own today. Fantastic effort, well done. Each one of you showed tremendous attention to detail, backing up, cutting those angles.”
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In India’s thrilling victory over Afghanistan in the Super-8 match, standout performances came from Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 53 runs off 28 balls, Jasprit Bumrah with figures of 3/7, Arshdeep Singh contributing 3/36, and Kuldeep Yadav taking 2/32.
Next up, India is scheduled to play against Bangladesh in Antigua on June 22nd.
