Shikhar Dhawan Awards 'Fielder of the Match' Medal to Axar Patel for Stunning Direct Hit Against Pakistan
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Synopsis
In a remarkable Champions Trophy Group A match, Shikhar Dhawan honored Axar Patel with the 'Fielder of the Match' medal for his exceptional direct hit leading to Imam-ul-Haq's dismissal. The match saw India secure a six-wicket victory over Pakistan, bolstered by Virat Kohli's vintage century.
Key Takeaways
- Shikhar Dhawan presented Axar Patel with the 'Fielder of the Match' medal.
- Axar's direct hit was pivotal in dismissing Imam-ul-Haq.
- Virat Kohli scored his 51st ODI century.
- India's strong bowling dismissed Pakistan for 241 runs.
- India will face New Zealand next on March 2.
Dubai, Feb 24 (NationPress) Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan awarded the 'Fielder of the Match' medal to all-rounder Axar Patel for his spectacular direct hit that dismissed Imam-ul-Haq during the thrilling Champions Trophy Group A clash against Pakistan on Sunday.
India dismissed Pakistan for just 241 runs, and a vintage century from Virat Kohli, marking his 51st in ODIs, led the team to a commanding six-wicket victory in this high-stakes match.
Following the win, India’s fielding coach T. Dilip praised the players' performance in the dressing room, commending their efforts on the field.
"The manner in which we cut the angles and backed each other up was exceptional. Feedback from KL Rahul highlighted the accuracy of the throw, which resulted in five direct hits today. That’s remarkable! A solid fielding unit operates like a Formula 1 pit crew, making split-second decisions without hesitation, which we exemplified with those crucial run-outs during key moments of the match," he stated in a video shared by bcci.tv.
Dilip acknowledged his support staff for keeping the momentum alive before revealing the contenders for the medal. Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shreyas Iyer were all nominated for the honor, leading to Dhawan’s announcement of the winner.
"Regarding the contenders, Jadeja has consistently been a live wire on the field, demonstrating exceptional catching abilities and agility year after year. He was remarkable today, alongside Axar Patel, who has excelled at making critical run-outs and catching balls in the outfield.
Shreyas Iyer has also shown great consistency throughout the England series and these games, consistently saving runs on the boundary with his speed. It’s all about who will announce the winner. The champion on the field today is none other than...
Dhawan extended his congratulations to the Rohit Sharma-led squad for their impressive victory against Pakistan, naming Axar as the medal recipient.
"Huge congratulations to the entire team, especially the bowling unit, with Kuldeep taking three wickets. In batting, Virat played excellently; that’s the mark of an experienced player. Well done Shubman, for your consistency. Thanks to the support staff for fostering such a positive environment. I appreciate the invitation to present this medal to the player who created that magical moment - Axar Patel," the former batter expressed.
India’s next challenge is against New Zealand in their final Group A match on March 2.
