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On Tuesday, Suryakumar Kumar-led Team India registered a series clean sweep against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. After comprehensive wins in the first and the second T20I by 43 runs and seven wickets respectively, India thumped their authority over the Lankans after taking the game in their favour in a thrilling Super Over finish. With this, the T20 world champions also began their new era under Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir’s leadership in the shortest format of the game.
While the Indian skipper also won the Player of the Series award, it was Indian all-rounder, Rinku Singh, who starred, winning the ‘Best Fielder’ medal. The Indian youngster won the ‘Fielder of the Series’ award, video of which was shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In the final T20I, Rinku Singh made some crucial catch attempts, which helped India dominate the series.
The Indian coach, T Dilip announced the contenders of the Fielder of the Series award one by one, which included the names of Ravi Bishnoi, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag. However, it was Assistant Coach Ryan ten Doeschate, who finally awarded the ‘Fielder of the Series’, calling out Rinku Singh’s name.
"I didn't select the award but I do know who it is. The fielding standard was very high. Fielding is the easiest way to show how much you care for the team by putting in a shift and everyone did it. The condition was very tough. The winner is the one who made a few mistakes in the second game. But he kept running harder, kept going for everything. The winner for this medal is Rinku Singh," Ten Doeschate said during the announcement.
Watch Ryan ten Doeschate hand over Best Fielder medal to Rinku Singh:
Gautam Gambhir’s reaction surfaces as T Dilip names contenders of the award
Former India cricketer turned Head Coach of the Men in Blue Gautam Gambhir could not stop smiling as T Dilip named the contenders for the ‘Best Fielder’ medal after India’s dominating performance against Sri Lanka in the T20I series. The Indian head coach was all smiles for the youngster as Ryan ten Doeschate handed Riku the medal.
It is to be noted that Singh received the best fielder medal earlier after India’s 4-1 series win against Zimbabwe in July 2024. Then also, the dressing room broke into round of applause for the explosive fielder as he reigned supreme in the series as he ended up with 60 runs in three innings without losing his wicket even once.
