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Virat Kohli’s Surprised Reaction As Dhawan Awards Axar Patel The ‘Impact Fielder’ Medal

Rajgeeta Yadav

Shikhar Dhawan hands the best fielder medal to Axar Patel [Source: @psnoozebackup/X.com]Shikhar Dhawan hands the best fielder medal to Axar Patel [Source: @psnoozebackup/X.com]

On Sunday, The Indian cricket team continued their cherished tradition of celebrating top fielding performances after their thrilling victory against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy match at the Dubai International Stadium. With a dominant six-wicket win, the Men in Blue took a big step closer to securing a semi-final spot in the tournament.

Following the match, T Dilip, India’s fielding coach, gathered the team for the much-anticipated ‘Fielder of the Match’ ceremony. After a tough contest, three players emerged as strong contenders for the medal—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shreyas Iyer. 

Axar Patel Shines On The Field

In the end, Axar Patel emerged as the winner of the ‘Impact Fielder’ medal. His standout moments during the high-pressure clash made a significant difference in the outcome of the game. One of his most crucial contributions was a direct-hit run-out of  Imam-ul-Haq. Beyond that, Axar had an outstanding day on the field, recording two run-outs and taking a sharp catch.

To make the ceremony even more special, former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan was invited into the dressing room to announce the winner. Dhawan, who played a key role in India’s 2013 Champions Trophy victory and earned the Golden Bat for scoring the most runs in that tournament, brought a sense of nostalgia and inspiration to the moment. 


While presenting the medal, Dhawan praised the entire team for their efforts. Dhawan expressed his gratitude to the support staff for creating such a positive environment, before announcing Axar Patel as the deserving recipient of the medal for his match-winning contributions on the field.

One of the most heartwarming moments from the ceremony was Virat Kohli’s surprised reaction to Shikhar Dhawan presenting the medal. 

Looking ahead, India are set to face New Zealand in their final group-stage match at the Dubai International Stadium on March 2. A victory in this match could secure their place in the semi-finals and bring them closer to winning the prestigious Champions Trophy once again.