NEW DELHI: Pace bowler Mohammed Siraj was awarded 'Impact Fielder of the T20I Series' for his outstanding fielding performance after India defeated South Africa by 106 runs on Thursday at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg in the last T20I of the three-game series.
The other two nominees for the medal were Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh, both left-handed batters.
Indian fielding coach T Dilip declared during the winner announcement that the coveted "Impact Fielder" award will now be presented following each series rather than each game.
"We know all the excellence the fielding medal has created during the ODI World Cup and credit to the boys for making it very special. Going forward, instead of presenting the medal after every game, now we are introducing 'Impact fielder of the Series'. We are recognizing the consistency, fitness, skills and impact you make throughout the series," Dilip said.
Rinku Singh was praised profusely by the Indian fielding coach, who described him as a "versatile fielder" who is essential in Twenty20 matches.
He also praised Yashasvi Jaiswal, a rookie player, for making important catches.
"He is been working hard not only in other skills but also in making sure he has enough time to practice for fielding and making sure that he is taking those crucial catches and being there at the right place at the right time," he added.
Siraj's performance in the three-game T20I series against South Africa and in the ODI World Cup was praised by Dilip.
"He is a man who has shown a lot of awareness and his skill set has been amazing that too being a fast bowler. We often talk about making a difference in the field not in just one match which he brought throughout the ODI World Cup and still it's going on. Today he made a difference on the field," he added.
The Indian pacer claimed, upon receiving the medal, that he had been waiting for it ever since the World Cup.
"I have been waiting for this from the World Cup and finally I got it. The lesson of this is never give up," Siraj said.
1/10:3rd T20I: SKY hits ton as India level SA series
AFP
2/10:Suryakumar Yadav
<p>Suryakumar Yadav hit a dazzling century as India levelled their series against South Africa with a crushing 106-run win in the third and final T20I at the Wanderers on Thursday. </p>AFP
3/10:Man of the Match
<p>Suryakumar made a 100 in a total of 201 for seven after India were sent in to bat. </p>AFP
4/10:Kuldeep Yadav
<p>South Africa crashed to 95 all out with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav taking a career-best five for 17 on his 29th birthday. </p>AP
5/10:4th T20I ton
<p>The Indian captain thrashed eight sixes and seven fours in making his fourth T20 international century off 55 balls. </p>Getty Images
6/10:3 quick wickets
<p>Suryakumar was caught at deep square leg off the next ball as India lost three wickets, including a run-out, in the final over, bowled by Lizaad Williams. </p>Reuters
7/10:Ravindra Jadeja
<p>With Suryakumar off the field with a twisted left ankle, Ravindra Jadeja took over the captaincy and dismissed South Africa captain Aiden Markram with his first ball. </p>Getty Images
8/10:4 wickets off 7 balls
<p>Jadeja took two for 25 as Kuldeep ripped through the lower order, taking the last four wickets off seven balls. </p>Getty Images
9/10:4th-wicket stand
<p>Suryakumar and Yashasvi Jaiswal (60) punished the bowling in a fourth-wicket stand of 112 off 70 balls. </p>Reuters
10/10:Keshav Maharaj
<p>Suryakumar went out to bat after left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets off successive balls in the third over. </p>Reuters(With ANI inputs)
