Credit: Twitter
During the highly impressive eight wicket win for the hosts in their second match of the ODI World Cup 2023 against Afghanistan, the Indian fielders were exceptional right through the innings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. After the completion of the one-sided encounter, the Indian bowling coach T Dilip declared the latest winner of the “Best Fielder” medal in the dressing room, who was none other than Shardul Thakur, to the shock of Virat Kohli.
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Afghanistan batted first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, putting up a decent score of 272/8 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks mainly to the fifties from the captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai. But, their bowling fell away in front of the record-breaking hundred from Rohit Sharma, who finished his innings with 131 off 84, before Virat Kohli got an unbeaten fifty to take the Indian cricket team over the finishing line.
Later on, BCCI shared a behind-the-scenes video about the “Best Fielder” medal on their official Instagram account. In it, the Indian fielding coach T Dilip took charge and said, “Today, we spoke about, in the huddle, we spoke about intensity and again we fielded at 2 O‘clock. I think it was outstanding from everyone, very well done guys.”
T Dilip appreciated Shardul Thakur for his exploits in the field against Afghanistan, before taking names of some of the other top performers. He was quoted as saying, “I think, to start with, I think Shardul’s catch was fantastic there. A couple of things about Shardul is that he put a lot of dives…. And as soon as he finished his spell, he was in the hotspot and he had to field the very next ball…. fantastic job.”
“We know Hardik was outstanding there, with effort, saving runs. Top class catch by KD (Kuldeep Yadav). I think with KD, even in the last game, cutting out the angles, he was consistent throughout, very well done. VK (Virat Kohli), as usual…. the way you attack the ball, backing up, coming to the stumps, outstanding. Ishan, top class effort man, well done, as usual, fantastic,” he added.
The Indian fielding coach finally declared the winner of the award and said, “But today, this (Best Fielder) award goes to Shardul Thakur today,” to the cheers of the Indian players, while the first-ever winner, Virat Kohli, couldn't believe what he had heard, covering his face in surprise while walking away from the camera.
Moments later, he requested Virat Kohli, who was still in shock at the newest winner of the “Best Fielder” medal, to do the honours, which panned out in a hilarious manner.
Shardul Thakur’s reaction to his good day in the fielding read, “That catch (to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz) was, I think, at the crucial period, because Hardik took a chance bowling a bouncer and we needed a wicket at that stage. And you know, very happy, to you know, convert that catch. I have been part of this team for quite a few years now, and I know the boys really well. I am comfortable in this dressing room. And you know we have created an atmosphere in the dressing room where there is no such thing as seniors and juniors, so everyone have jelled in so well that you don’t feel nervousness here.”