Despite a flop series with the bat, Rinku Singh beats Ravi Bishnoi and Riyan Parag for this prestigious award

As the T20I series between India and Sri Lanka came to an end, it was time for fielding coach T Dilip to give the 'Fielder of the Series' award in the dressing room. With no surprise, it was Rinku Singh who bagged the medal for his superb energy in the fielding department under tough conditions.

Rinku did not have a great series with the bat as he scored just 2 runs in two innings. He did not get many chances to showcase his potential as most of the work was already done by the Indian top order. He came in to bat at No. 4 in the last T20I but got out in an attempt to hit Maheesh Theekshana out of the ground.

However, the youngster ensured to make significant contributions on the field and his energy was on the show. Despite starting on a disappointing note in the second T20I, Rinku ensured to keep up his enthusiasm and contributed heavily during the fielding.

Watch: Ravi Bishnoi turns Superman as he takes a brilliant catch to remove Wanindu Hasaranga

'Fielding in T20 is like a firefighter in an emergency' - T Dilip

Despite being in a new coaching staff, India's fielding coach T Dilip kept the tradition of the dressing room's 'Fielder of the Series' award alive. In a brilliant speech where he compared fielders to the firefighters, he spoke highly of India's fielding throughout the series.

"Well done! Very well done! As usual, it was a terrific win, especially considering the Super Over. For me, I always believe that fielding in T20 is like a firefighter in an emergency. You have got to be quick, decisive, and fearless. You all showed that. What really stood out for me in this series, especially, was that everyone consistently aimed to make a difference in the field, especially considering tough conditions out there. Very well done (claps)."

𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗕𝗧𝗦 | 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 🏅

T20I series win ✅

Any guesses on winner of the fielding medal? 🤔

Find out 🎥🔽 #TeamIndia | #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/1gzqQcpmuU

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 31, 2024

Dilip further named his candidates for the role. The candidates were Riyan Parag, Ravi Bishnoi, and Rinku Singh.

"My contender No. 1 is someone who went place to place and made sure that most of the time, he was at the hotspot. And made it sure that every opportunity when it comes to him, he grabbed those and he is none other than Riyan Parag."

"I think errors do happen in a game and the greatest fielder is someone who bounces back and he has that amazing speed on the field to assure that today (by) taking that brilliant catch, Ravi Bishnoi, contender No. 2."

"One of the guys whom I love to give a practice because he is always up there making sure that whenever he is out there, he is going out on an outfield cutting those angles, making sure that taking those outstanding catches in pressure moments. Not only this game, but he has consistently been taking those catches in pressure moments. He is one other than Rinku Singh," Dilip stated.

Ryan ten Doeschate presents the award

India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate then came forward to present the award for the dressing room's best fielder of the series award. He described the conditions as tough but lauded Rinku Singh for the way he fielded throughout the series.

"The fielding standard was very high. The conditions were very tough. The winner is someone who particularly in the second game, in the toughest of conditions, he started the innings quite poorly. Not poorly, but he made a few mistakes but he kept coming harder and kept running harder. And the winner for this medal is Rinku Singh," ten Doeschate said.

India won the final T20I of the series dramatically to complete a clean sweep over Sri Lanka in a low-scoring thriller.