DUBAI, 2025: The Indian cricket team’s tradition of recognizing the best fielder after every match continued during their dominant six-wicket win over Pakistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday. The win pushed India closer to securing a spot in the semi-finals.
Fielding Coach’s Praise for Team Effort
Following the match, T Dilip, India’s fielding coach, took a moment to praise the players for their effort on the field. Dilip highlighted Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shreyas Iyer as the top contenders for the coveted Fielder of the Match award.
To announce the winner, Dilip invited former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, who had been part of the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning team. Dhawan, a prolific run-scorer in the tournament, revealed that Axar Patel was the recipient of the award.
Dhawan’s Acknowledgment of Axar Patel’s Performance
During the presentation, Dhawan took the opportunity to congratulate the entire team for their stellar performance. He particularly praised the bowling unit, singling out Kuldeep Yadav’s impressive three-wicket haul.
“A big, big congratulations to the whole team, especially the bowling unit. Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets,” Dhawan said. “Then, coming down to the batting, Virat, well played. That’s what the experienced players do. Very well done. Shubman, great consistency. KL Rahul. Thank you for inviting me over here to give the medal to the special player who created the magic moment as we always talk about Axar Patel.”
Axar Patel’s Key Contribution on the Field
Axar Patel played a pivotal role in India’s fielding efforts during the match, securing two crucial run-outs and taking a catch. His all-around performance on the field helped India gain control of the match.
India’s Dominant Performance in the Match
India’s victory was built on a disciplined team effort. Pakistan, who opted to bat first, struggled early but found some stability through a 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46).
However, India’s bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) and Hardik Pandya (2/31), restricted Pakistan to a total of 241. In response, Virat Kohli played a masterful innings, scoring an unbeaten 100 runs to guide India to victory. He was well-supported by Shubman Gill (46) and Shreyas Iyer (56), as India comfortably chased down the target with six wickets to spare.
India’s Next Challenge
With this impressive win, India strengthened their semi-final prospects. The unbeaten team will face New Zealand in their final group match of the tournament on March 2, 2025, in Dubai. As the Champions Trophy progresses, India remains a formidable contender with both their batting and fielding departments in top form.
