Picture Credit: X/@BCCI
On Thursday, June 27, the Men in Blue outclassed reigning champions, England to progress one step closer to ending their ICC trophy draught, beating them by 68-run margin at the Providence Stadium, Guyana. With this win, Rohit Sharma became only the second captain after former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson to lead the side in the finals of an ICC tournament across formats.
Seeing the side cruise into the final of the T20 World Cup 2024, 10 years after their last appearance in the finale came in 2014 edition of the tournament, the Indian dressing room was a happy bunch of cricketers. On Thursday, it was former Indian wicketkeeper, Dinesh Karthik who was honoured to present the Best Fielder’s medal, joining the likes of Ravi Shastri, Sir Vivian Richards, Head Coach Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh.
But ahead of awarding the medal, former cricketer, Dinesh Karthik took a sly dig at skipper Rohit Sharma for not selecting him in the T20 World Cup squad. Speaking during the medal ceremony in the Indian dressing room, Dinesh Karthik began, “You guys have done phenomenally well to be here, so congratulations. Two years ago, the same game against the same opponent, I remember how we were in the dressing room. Things didn’t go our way but from there where you all have reached today, it has been great to watch.”
“Some very good decisions along with and picking the team, it started there. It’s been outstanding to see,” DK further added, leaving everyone in the splits as the players looked towards Rohit Sharma. “Some couple of mentions, Rohit led the team very well and also to Rahul bhai, just a couple of days to his last game,” he further added.
Watch Dinesh Karthik's sly dig at Rohit Sharma over team selection:
DK awards Rishabh Pant with ‘Best Fielder’ medal; BCCI shares video
After heaping praise of the entire team, which has performed as a unit in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Dinesh Karthik called up wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant for the ‘Best Fielder’ medal. Speaking of his comeback journey, nearly escaping the horrific accident, DK said, "There are many stories in sport but there are not many better than to the person I am giving the medal to.”
“What he's gone through a year ago, I think six months ago, no one expected him to be in this team, not many would have expected him to play this sport this early, but for him to come out here and play the way he has done, all are very happy for him and he has made millions happy by just being on the field - Rishabh Pant," he continued.
The Rohit Sharma-led Team India will take on South Africa, who will be making their maiden appearance in the T20 World Cup history on Saturday, June 29 (IST) at the Kensington Oval in bBridgetown, Barbados.
