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[Watch] Priceless Reactions After KL Rahul Bags India's Fielder Of The Match

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Team India has introduced an amusing ritual as part of their campaign for the ICC World Cup 2023 to recognise the best fielder of the match. As per the fun post-game activity, players gather inside the change room alongside support staff members and are then appreciated for their strong contribution in the outfield by fielding coach T Dilip. 

Dilip, who has been overseeing India's fielding progress, picks out players who made a valuable contribution with their dives and catches during the game and honours one 'fielder of the game' after every performance and fixture at the quadrennial event.

Modern-day legend Virat Kohli was the first to bag the special prize from Dilip for his brilliance in the outfield post the victory against Australia in Chennai. He was followed to the 'fielder of the game' tag by utility fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur for his best effort versus Afghanistan in Delhi. 

Late on Saturday night, however, Dilip took a step away from the league and decided the 'fielder of the game' against Pakistan in Ahmedabad was not an outfielder but India's premier wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who came up with a great performance behind the stumps in his team's seven-wicket triumph. 


KL Rahul bags special award inside Indian change room 

Dilip embraced the opportunity to recognise Rahul for what is often a thankless job as a wicketkeeper, who is brutally criticised for his failures but hardly ever appreciated for successful takes and stumpings. The Indian team has a different team culture in place and upheld Rahul as an understated part of their World Cup win. 

Dilip wasn't ignorant towards other fielders who contributed to India's third successive victory of the competition but reserved special praise and a medal for Rahul, whose transition from a specialist batter to a mighty effective glover has been remarkable. 

"Once again we fielded in the afternoon. Special mention to (bowlers) Siraj, Kuldeep, Shardul, Jasprit for moving around quickly to their plans and doing their best in the afternoon," said Dilip in a special video posted by the BCCI on their Twitter handle. 



"One thing was great to see the best fielder in the world back to doing what he does best - Ravindra Jadeja. Good to see Jadeja doing the speed and accuracy getting there."

"One skill which generally gets ignored is wicketkeeping. We expect you to do the job about coming to the wicket, coming to the stumps to collect the throws. Doing the leg-stump takes and catches. I think overall KL was fantastic. Well done," he added before Thakur, the previous winner, bestowed the medal to Rahul as per ritual while the rest of the player cheered along.