Indian Team brings back the fielding medal after drawing the T20I series against South Africa.
Team India has introduced a revamped version of the Fielding Medal presentation from the 2023 World Cup, now known as the ‘Impact Fielder of the Series,’ specifically tailored for the T20I series against South Africa.
Explaining the rationale behind this adaptation, fielding coach T Dilip highlighted the success of the Fielding Medal in instilling enthusiasm and excellence among Indian players during the World Cup. However, he emphasized a shift in the approach, noting that the recognition will now be bestowed not after every match but as a reward for “consistent alertness” and the overall “impact” made throughout an entire series.
For the T20I series against South Africa, Dilip identified three nominees for the Fielding Medal: Rinku Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mohammed Siraj. The winner was subsequently announced after a careful consideration of their performances.
Here is the video:
In a standout display of fielding prowess, Mohammed Siraj clinched the Fielding Medal during the series. His notable moment came in the fourth over of the match in Johannesburg, where he successfully caught opening batter Reeza Hendricks short at the non-striker’s end. This crucial dismissal saw Hendricks departing for 8 runs off 13 balls, contributing to South Africa’s collapse as they could only manage 95 runs while chasing India’s imposing total of 201/7. The three-match series concluded with a 1-1 scoreline, with the first game being washed out.