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After a commanding 50-run win over Bangladesh to register their second win at T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage, the tradition of presenting the best fielder medal award in the dressing room continued on June 22. This time fielding coach T Dilip called legendary West Indies batter Sir Vivian Richards to present the medal. Interestingly, the stadium in Antigua is named after him as well.
Richards entered the dressing room with a huge round of applause. Everyone stood up to respect the legendary batter who tormented bowling attacks around the world. Richards gave Virat Kohli a hug and shook hands with head coach Rahul Dravid. The best fielder award went to Suryakumar Yadav who took the catch of Litton Das running from deep mid-wicket.
Richards said that he would back India to win the T20 World Cup for the second time if Rovman Powell-led West Indies do not make it all the way.
"Oh, first of all, let me say Well done, guys. Well done today. Going all the way. Let's go. Well done. What can I say to a team that is already so powerful? Man, you know, you have a good thing going here. I can only say this, if the guys in maroon don't get it done, I'll be backing you. Is that OK? That sounds reasonable enough as a Caribbean person, but really good to see what you guys have here," Richards said.
Pant gets a special mention from Richards
Richards also lauded Rishabh Pant who has not just contributed with the bat on his comeback to the team after the horrific accident but has been outstanding behind the stumps as well barring the dropped catch against Bangladesh.
"Pant, it's great to see you back, man, after what you have been through, we would have missed that great talent and exactly what you have to offer in the future. Just great to see you guys, man. And the way you're playing your cricket man, love it. Enjoying it. Well done again. Hey, good to see you, man. The Pocket rocket man. Well done. OK? Hey, well done again, guys. And all the best moving forward. As I say again, if the guys in the maroon don't get it done, I'm backing you," Richards added.
Ecstatic Suryakumar hails Siraj
Suryakumar expressed his emotions after getting the award from the 72-year-old. He praised Mohammed Siraj for setting the bar high.
"Ah feels really well. Good. I think. Mohammed Siraj, set the benchmark really high on the field from game one. And I'm really happy to be having this medal from the great legend, Sir Vivan Richards, in Antigua, and we've been working really hard with the on fielding, and it feels good. Hopefully, hopefully, this journey with the medal continues. And it gives me a lot of motivation and inspiration as well. Uh, because that's one thing which I think is non-negotiable for a batter, when we go on the field together and, yeah, really happy with it," Suryakumar said.
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