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The ritual of holding a medal ceremony in the Indian dressing room, initiated during the ODI World Cup 2023, has been embraced and continued by the team management in the T20 World Cup 2024. The latest ceremony took place on June 24, where Axar Patel was honored with the best fielder medal for his outstanding fielding performance.
Axar Patel Earns Best Fielder Medal
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), India’s fielding coach T Dilip is seen addressing the team, offering words of encouragement and praise. He specifically commended pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for their impressive fielding efforts. Other contenders for the best fielder award included Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, and Rohit Sharma. However, Axar Patel outshone them all to clinch the medal, which was presented by Nuwan Senevirathne, the team’s throwdown specialist.
Axar Patel’s pivotal role in the match was highlighted by his spectacular one-handed catch at the boundary to dismiss Mitchell Marsh, who was posing a significant threat. This crucial wicket shifted the game’s momentum, leading to Australia’s collapse in their chase.
India’s victory over Australia by 24 runs secured their place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit Sharma’s explosive innings of 92 runs off 41 deliveries, featuring eight sixes, played a crucial role in setting up the win. India is now set to face England in the semi-final on June 27, seeking to avenge their loss in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022, where England triumphed by 10 wickets.
