Watch -India's 'Best Fielder' award returns with fresh twist, as fielding coach takes help from unexpected guest to pick the winner

India’s ‘Best Fielder’ award returned with the Men in Blue’s emphatic eight-wicket win over Ireland in their first match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday, June 5, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

T Dilip, fielding coach of the Indian cricket team, had started the tradition of the 'best fielder' medal in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and he carried forward the trend in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 as well, but with a fresh twist, including an adorable moment in the dressing room.

T Dilip continues the tradition of the 'Best Fielder' award in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024

After Team India kicked off their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a bang, fielding coach Dilip praised the players for their incredible efforts on the field against the Ireland cricket team as the Men in Blue were gathered in the dressing room after the match in New York.

Well, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the winner of the 'Best Fielder' award through a video shared on its official website and social media handles. The video featured a young Indian fan interacting with the Indian players in the dressing room.

The young fan named Subhek then presented the 'Fielder of the Match' medal to Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, who graciously accepted the honor, exchanging a warm hug with him in a heartwarming moment. Siraj was magical with the ball as well as on the field against Ireland.

Mohammed Siraj receives the Best Fielder award from a young Indian fan after IND vs IRE match

The 30-year-old pacer produced excellent fielding efforts in the 16th over of Ireland's innings. From deep point, the right-arm pacer executed a stunning throw directly to the wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who swiftly removed the bails, ensuring the in-form batter Gareth Delany (26 runs off 14 balls) returned back to the pavilion to add misery to Ireland’s woes against India.

Additionally, Siraj also bowled exceptionally, but he didn’t need to complete his quota as Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah wreaked havoc on Ireland’s batting line-up in New York. He conceded only 13 runs in his three-over spell and took the wicket of George Dockrell.

In the video, T Dilip said: “As we know the fielding medal is back for every game, especially in ICC tournaments. The tradition which helped us to boost on the field very well, so it's back. Honestly speaking, in T20 cricket, one of the key factors, I feel, is game awareness."

"As every ball is an opportunity. And great examples were today Axar Patel's catch, cotton ball. And Virat Kohli's intensity, backing up, going around, showing what we spoke in the morning."

"Our first contender, he is back after a long time, but he's been tested both laterally, up and down. But he was fantastic out there, Rishabh Pant. Our contender number two, he's someone who's out on the field after bowling."

"He's been pretty sharp with his throws, accurate throws, and getting that run out, Mohammed Siraj. A little change, today's winner will be decided by a small boy who's an Indian, who stays in New York.”

Later, Subhek handed the medal to Siraj and revealed that Arshdeep Singh is his favorite bowler.

Guess what's back 😎

The fielding medal 🏅 for #<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a's first match of #<!---->T<!---->2<!---->0<!---->W<!---->o<!---->r<!---->l<!---->d<!---->C<!---->u<!---->p includes an adorable fan moment 🤗

And the medal goes to...🥁

WATCH 🎥🔽 - By @<!---->R<!---->a<!---->j<!---->a<!---->l<!---->A<!---->r<!---->o<!---->r<!---->a | #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->I<!---->R<!---->Eh<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->T<!---->m<!---->B<!---->y<!---->Z<!---->C<!---->P<!---->B<!---->h<!---->5

— BCCI (@BCCI) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4