Team India have started a trend of giving the best fielder award in the ongoing World Cup.
During the match, Indian fielders dropped three sitters. However, the Men in Blue impressed one and all with their ground fielding.
The highlight of India’s fielding was Shreyas Iyer taking a sharp catch at square leg to dismiss opening batter Devon Conway in the fourth over of New Zealand’s innings.
For his brilliant catch, Iyer was honoured with the best fielder medal. He joined the likes of Virat Kohli, Shardul Thakur, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja who have won the same award in the earlier games for India.
“One guy was like a fish in the water, natural and swift just outstanding started with some brilliant catch at square leg and finished off some outstanding stops out there, especially in the field Shreyas Iyer,” Indian fielding coach T Dilip said in a video posted on BCCI’s official website.
The fielding coach also appreciated the commitment of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj on the field, but it was Shreyas Iyer who was declared the winner.
Coming to the match, India won the toss and opted and opted to bowl first. Riding on Mohammad Shami’s five-wicket haul, the home team bundled out the Kiwis for 273 in 50 overs. Daryl Mitchell was the top scorer for New Zealand with 130 off 127 balls.
In reply, Rohit Sharma (46) and Shubman Gill (26) provided the team with a strong 71-run opening stand but it was Virat Kohli who stole the show with his match-winning knock.
The hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were struggling at 191/5 in the 34th over, but Kohli held the one end firmly and slammed 95 off 104 balls.
While Virat got out when the team needed 5 runs off 15 balls, Ravindra Jadeja stayed unbeaten on 39 to seal the deal for India with two overs to spare.