Virat Kohli made it another feather in his cap as he was bestowed with the best fielder award after India’s dominating victory against New Zealand in their final Group A encounter of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai. Kohli, with his dynamic energy on the ground, displayed his superior athleticism by making a magnificent high catch to get rid of Matt Henry.
The catch not only brought Henry’s time at the crease to an end but also assisted Varun Chakaravarthy in finishing off his first five-wicket haul in ODIs, making the occasion all the more special. The medal presentation for the post-match fielding medal was not without drama, as the medal went missing temporarily before being discovered by Axar Patel, one of the three nominees together with Shreyas Iyer.
Throwdown coach Nuwan Seneviratne had the privilege of making the presentation, with the Indian team sharing a lighter moment following a closely contested match.
ALSO READ: Ambati Rayudu Praises Varun Chakaravarthy’s Impact As India Faces Selection Dilemma
India’s fielding coach, T Dilip, was specifically impressed with the team’s “bullet throws” that limited New Zealand’s batters, in particular Daryl Mitchell, to effectively rotate the strike.
View this post on Instagram
“We always speak of having a gun fielding unit, and for me, the key is being proactive. During different stages of the game, we tightened the screws, and when Mitchell came out, he struggled to rotate the strike. The manner in which our fielders fired in those bullet throws from the infield and outfield really pressed them hard,” T Dilip said.
ALSO READ: Harbhajan Singh Hails Glenn Phillips’ Stunning Catch As Better Than Jonty Rhodes’ Iconic Grab
With three wins on the trot, India led their group, beating Bangladesh and Pakistan before outclassing New Zealand. Defeat of the Kiwis by 44 runs sent them to the semifinals, and they will face defending champions Australia in Dubai on Tuesday. New Zealand, meanwhile, will clash with South Africa in Lahore in the second semifinal on Wednesday.
