[Watch] Rinku Singh Named Fielder Of The Series For His Performance In India’s 4-1 Win Over Zimbabwe

The just-finished five-T20I series in Zimbabwe saw the continuation of the “fielding medal” tradition from the dressing room. Rinku Singh received a medal for being the best fielder in the series after India’s 4-1 series victory at Harare Sports Club on July 14, rather than the fielding medal after every match.

India concluded the series with an overwhelming 42-run victory in the fifth match on Sunday, ushering in the post-Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma T20I era.

The custom of presenting the ‘Fielder of the Series’ persisted in the new period despite the absence of a reliable pair.

Shubman Gill’s led Indian cricket team won the Twenty20 International Series against Zimbabwe by 4-1. This was after defeating Zimbabwe in the last Twenty20 match by 42 runs. The Zimbabwe tour final match saw Sanju Samson as well as Mukesh Kumar being outstanding for India.

Samson saved India from danger against Zimbabwe with 58 runs from 45 balls when they looked like they were going to lose their wickets quickly, having scored 40/3 in 5 overs only. Afterwards, Mukesh Kumar’s outstanding bowling stats on 4/22 further guaranteed India’s dominance in the game.

‘Mujhe batting se zyada fielding pasand hai’: Rinku Singh

Straight from Harare! 📍

A special video message followed by the Fielding Medal 🏅 Ceremony!

Class, Smiles & Generosity All Around! ☺️

Subhadeep Ghosh 🤝 T Dilip#TeamIndia | #ZIMvIND | @VVSLaxman281 | @rinkusingh235 pic.twitter.com/GBrtU85kUF

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 15, 2024

In the locker room, India’s fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh played a video message from departing fielding coach T Dilip. Then he asked VVS Laxman, head coach of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and head coach for the tour, to give Rinku the award.

When Rinku received the medal, the players made fun of him. Rinku was asked to give a speech by Ravi Bishnoi, who slid a stool in his direction. After a moment of hesitation, Rinku stood up and said.

“Pehle to God’s plan. Kaafi acha laga mujhe sabke sath khel ke. Meri 4th ya 5th series thi. To be honest mujhe batting se zyada fielding kaafi pasand hai. Fielding kaafi enjoy karta hu. Bohot maza aata hai bhagne me. Agar me ek sprint na maru to body khulti nahi hai. (Firstly, I would like to say ‘God’s Plan’. It was nice to play alongside everyone, I think this was my fourth or fifth series, so it was quite nice. To be honest, I did not get to bat much, but I love fielding more. I enjoy it a lot, it is quite fun. If I don’t sprint, my body does not warm up.),” the 26-year-old said.

Throughout the tour, Rinku amassed 60 runs in four innings. He left for a duck in the opening Twenty20 International as India lost the low-scoring match. 0 for 48 after 22 balls after coming to bat at number four in the second Twenty20 International. India triumphed by an overwhelming 100 runs because of the southpaw’s explosive knock of five sixes and two fours. The fourth T20I did not allow him to bat.