Virat Kohli broke into loud laughs when Axar Patel was adjudged the best player of the team for India’s Super 8 of ICC T20 World Cup 2024 against Afghanistan played on Thursday, June 20.

Team India has the tradition of awarding a medal to the best fielder from a particular match.  It is a tradition that was first started by the team’s fielding coach T. Dilip during last year’s ODI World Cup. The exercise was put in place to improve team bonding and inspire fielders to put in extra efforts in the field.

For the match against Afghanistan, Dilip nominated Axar, Arshdeep Singh, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja for the medal of the best fielder.

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The medal for the best fielder is presented either by a member from the coaching staff of a team member or a special guest. For this game, Dilip chose India’s outgoing headcoach Rahul Dravid to present the medal.

And the award for the best fielder of the match finally went to Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja’s efforts in the field was instrumental in team India picking 3 wickets. The all-rounder picked 3 catches and was involved in the dismissals of Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan.

India beat Afghanistan by 47 runs in their first match of the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup. Batting first the Rohit Sharma-led side scored 181/8 on the back of fifty from Suryakumar Yadav. In response Afghanistan were bowled out on 134 as Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh picked 3 wickets each!

India’s next game is against Bangladesh on June 22, Saturday. The game will be played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua. Meanwhile Afghanistan will face Australia next at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent on the same day