[WATCH]: Mohammed Siraj Gets ‘Best Fielder’ Award, Collects The Medal From A Young Fan After IND vs IRE Match

Team India’s Pace Sensation Mohammed Siraj won the best fielder of the match award for his spectacular run out against Ireland in India’s tournament opener. Siraj was extremely accurate with his ground fielding throughout the match, including the miracle runout in the Irish innings’ 13th over.

In their opening game of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday, June 5, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, the Men in Blue defeated Ireland with eight wickets to reclaim the title of “Best Fielder” in India.

Fielding coach T Dilip of the Indian cricket team initiated the ‘best fielder’ medal tradition in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He continued the tradition in the current T20 World Cup 2024, but with a modern touch that included a cute moment in the changing room.

Mohammed Siraj receives the ‘best fielder’ medal from a young fan: 

Guess what's back 😎

The fielding medal 🏅 for #TeamIndia's first match of #T20WorldCup includes an adorable fan moment 🤗

And the medal goes to…🥁

WATCH 🎥🔽 – By @RajalArora | #INDvIREhttps://t.co/TmByZCPBh5

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 6, 2024

In the opening match of their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday, June 5, Team India defeated Ireland by eight wickets. Pacer Mohammed Siraj overcame Rishabh Pant and Akshar Patel to win the best fielder medal.

Siraj did not have to bowl his four overs in this low-scoring match because Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya destroyed the Irish batting lineup. Following the match, the BCCI shared a video on Instagram of a young Indian fan meeting with the Men in Blue. The fan then presented Siraj with the “Fielder of the Match” medal, which he accepted with a heartfelt hug.

Siraj let up 13 runs while taking one wicket in his three overs, demonstrating remarkable skill with the ball. In the 16th over of Ireland’s innings, the right-arm quick’s superb fielding performance also contributed to Gareth Delany’s run-out.

“In T20 cricket, one of the key factors is game awareness, as every ball is an opportunity. A great example of today was Akshar Patel’s caught and bowl and Virat Kohli’s intensity backing up showing what we spoke in the morning,” India fielding coach T. Dilip said in the video.

India will face arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue on Sunday (June 9).