India’s tour of Zimbabwe came to a triumphant close on Sunday, with the young squad, led by Shubman Gill, securing a convincing 4-1 victory in the five-match T20I series. The post-match festivities included the much-anticipated announcement of the ‘Fielder of the Series’ award, with two standout contenders: Ravi Bishnoi and Rinku Singh.
Subhadeep Ghosh, the fielding coach for the tour, emphasized the crucial role of catching in determining the outcome of a match. “As I always say, catching is very, very important. If you take the catches, you can control the game; you can dominate the game, which we did today,” Ghosh stated before revealing the award winner.
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In a surprise twist, it was Rinku Singh who clinched the award, edging out Bishnoi. This decision elicited a playful response from captain Gill, who jokingly teased the young spinner. “Every time he (Rinku) steps on the ground, he always sets a high standard,” Ghosh remarked, underscoring Rinku’s consistent performance.
Straight from Harare! 📍
A special video message followed by the Fielding Medal 🏅 Ceremony!
Class, Smiles & Generosity All Around! ☺️
Subhadeep Ghosh 🤝 T Dilip#TeamIndia | #ZIMvIND | @VVSLaxman281 | @rinkusingh235 pic.twitter.com/GBrtU85kUF
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 15, 2024
When prompted for a speech, Rinku initially hesitated but ultimately obliged. “First of all, God’s Plan! It was a pleasure playing with you. To be honest, I enjoy fielding more than batting,” he said, showcasing his passion for the game.
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Additionally, T Dilip, the incumbent fielding coach, sent a video message to the team, reinforcing the importance of fielding in Indian cricket. “Boys, fielding has always been paramount to us, and it’s an aspect of the game where we have set high standards over the years. We should aim to continue striving for excellence in this area,” he encouraged.
Looking ahead, India will soon return to action as they prepare for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, where they will compete in three T20Is and three ODIs later this month. The young team is eager to build on their recent success and continue their development in international cricket.
