Shikhar Dhawan Presents Axar Patel Best Fielder Medal, Coach Says 'Good Fielding Unit Is Like Formula One Pit Crew'
Axar Patel effected two crucial run outs - Babar Azam and Haris Rauf - and also took a sharp catch to send back Saud Shakeel off Hardik Pandya's delivery.
Axar Patel won the fielder of the match as India defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, which virtually knocked the hosts out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The all-rounder was a star in the field apart from his bowling as he effected two crucial run outs – Babar Azam and Haris Rauf – and also took a sharp catch to send back Saud Shakeel off Hardik Pandya’s delivery.
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Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan was called to present the ward to Axar Patel.
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Indian cricket team fielding coach T Dilip praised the players for their effort in the field and their ‘five direct hits today’.
“Good fielding unit is like a Formula One pit crew," Dilip said in a video posted by BCCI.
“Why? Which makes split-second decisions and there is no hesitation. And that’s what exactly we did with those two run outs, crucial run outs at the important juncture of a match. Well done," he added.
When it came to revealing the contender, he said: “He’s been the live air in the field, whether it is catching, catching amazingly, and also the way he moving around the field with his feet and doing it years and years again. And he was outstanding today, none other than (Ravindra) Jadeja."
“And someone who’s been really good and getting that important runout, but also taking that catch on the out-field, Axar Patel."
“Someone who showed great consistency throughout team England series, and also these games, the way he’s chasing the ball, the way he’s cutting those angles on the boundary line. He’s always on the outfield and saving those brilliant runs there. Shreyas Iyer," he added.
To hand over the award, he called on Dhawan to do the honours.
“Congratulations to the whole team, especially the bowling unit," Dhawan said.
“And coming to the batting. Virat (Kohli), well played. That’s what the experienced players do. Very well done. Shubman (Gill), great consistency," he added.
Dhawan also credited the Indian side’s support staff “for creating such a great environment in the team".
He then handed over the medal to “the special player who created the magic moment", Axar Patel.
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