Shreyas Iyer Claims ‘Impact Fielder’ Medal in ODI Series vs England

Published on: February 13, 2025

Shreyas Iyer Claims ‘Impact Fielder’ Medal in ODI Series vs England

Shreyas Iyer Wins ‘Impact Fielder’ Medal in ODI Series Against England

India’s Dominant Series Win Against England

Team India secured a comprehensive 142-run victory over England in the third and final ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 12, completing a 3-0 series whitewash. The Indian team outclassed England in all departments, delivering a powerful performance with both bat and ball.

Following their dominant win, the Indian dressing room and coaching staff honored Shreyas Iyer with the ‘Impact Fielder’ Medal for his outstanding contributions on the field throughout the series. This award is part of the team’s initiative to recognize players who make a difference in the field, emphasizing the growing importance of fielding in modern cricket.

Shreyas Iyer’s Impactful Performance in the ODI Series

Shreyas Iyer showcased an all-round performance throughout the series, excelling with both the bat and in the field. His fielding efforts were instrumental in restricting England’s batting lineup and keeping the pressure on their key players. Additionally, his consistent batting performances provided crucial contributions to India’s victories.

Batting Contributions

Iyer displayed excellent form with the bat, playing key knocks in all three ODIs:
• First ODI: 59 runs off 36 balls
• Second ODI: 44 runs
• Third ODI: 78 runs

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His aggressive yet composed approach ensured that India maintained control over the opposition’s bowling attack. His innings in each game provided crucial momentum and stability to India’s batting order.

Fielding Excellence

In addition to his batting heroics, Iyer’s athleticism and awareness on the field made him a standout performer in the fielding department. He made crucial stops, saved runs, and was involved in an important run-out in the first ODI, making it difficult for the English batters to rotate the strike freely. His ability to anticipate plays and his quick reflexes positioned him as one of the best fielders in the Indian squad.

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Fielding Coach T. Dilip Announces Best Fielder of the Series

Following India’s commanding win, the team’s fielding coach T. Dilip addressed the dressing room to announce the winner of the ‘Impact Fielder’ Medal. While making the announcement, Dilip highlighted the key aspects considered when selecting the best fielder:

“It’s not just about the catches we look at, but the amount of effort you put on the boundary line, saving crucial runs, getting those run-outs, cutting angles in the field, stopping around 20 balls, and executing an important run-out in the first game. All these efforts combined made a huge difference.”

After his speech, he proudly declared Shreyas Iyer as the most impactful fielder of the series.

Shubman Gill Honors Shreyas Iyer with the Medal

To celebrate this achievement, Shubman Gill was called upon to present the medal to Iyer. This moment added to the camaraderie within the Indian squad, reinforcing the team’s appreciation for individual efforts in the field.

Other Contenders for the Award

While Iyer emerged as the winner, there were other strong contenders for the ‘Impact Fielder’ Medal:
1. Harshit Rana: Despite being a fast bowler, he made an exceptional effort by saving over 10 runs, displaying his commitment and agility on the field.
2. Shubman Gill: Showed incredible reflexes and made crucial catches, especially in the mid-off region, contributing to India’s defensive efforts.

However, Iyer’s consistent fielding contributions, combined with his batting performances, made him the ideal choice for the award.

Senior Batters Shine in the ODI Series

While India’s exceptional fielding and bowling performances were crucial, the batting lineup also played a pivotal role in the series whitewash. Several senior players found their form, producing memorable knocks that set the foundation for India’s victories.

Shubman Gill’s Brilliant Batting Form

Shubman Gill was one of the standout performers in the batting department, delivering consistent performances throughout the series.
His remarkable 112 runs off 102 balls in the final ODI was a testament to his skill and temperament. This was also his second century of the series, making him one of India’s top run-scorers.

Gill’s ability to play both attacking and anchor roles added significant depth to India’s batting lineup, ensuring stability at the top order.

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Rohit Sharma’s Century – A Long-Awaited Knock

Indian captain Rohit Sharma silenced his critics with a classy 119-run innings off 90 balls in the second ODI. This century marked the end of his long-standing century drought and was one of the most memorable knocks of the series.

His aggressive yet elegant stroke play dismantled England’s bowling attack, setting the platform for India to post a commanding total. His return to form added further strength to India’s batting unit.

Virat Kohli’s Crucial Half-Century

Another much-anticipated performance came from Virat Kohli, who scored a well-constructed 52 runs in the series. Though it wasn’t a massive innings, it was an important contribution, helping India build a solid total in a crucial phase of the game.

Kohli’s knock, combined with Iyer’s 78-run innings, created a significant buzz on social media, as fans celebrated the return of India’s batting greats to form.

India’s Bowling Unit Dismantles England’s Lineup

While India’s batting lineup put up massive totals, the bowling unit ensured that England never stood a chance in the chase. A combination of pace and spin proved lethal, dismantling England’s batting lineup with precision.

Pace Attack – Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana Shine
• Arshdeep Singh: Showed his ability to swing the ball and take crucial wickets upfront, making it difficult for England to settle into their innings.
• Harshit Rana: Despite being relatively new to the international stage, he displayed impressive pace and accuracy, troubling England’s batters throughout the series.

Spin Unit – Kuldeep, Jadeja, and Axar Dominate

India’s spinners played a crucial role in containing runs and taking wickets in the middle overs.
• Kuldeep Yadav: With his sharp turn and variations, he kept England’s batters guessing and picked up key wickets at crucial moments.
• Ravindra Jadeja & Axar Patel: Both all-rounders contributed effectively, maintaining tight lines and ensuring that England never gained momentum in the chase.

Their combined efforts restricted England’s run flow and forced mistakes, leading to easy breakthroughs for India.

Conclusion – A Perfect Team Performance

India’s 3-0 series whitewash against England was a testament to their dominance across all departments. While Shreyas Iyer’s impactful fielding earned him the ‘Impact Fielder’ Medal, the series was defined by a collective team effort.

Key Highlights:

✔ Batting Brilliance: Gill’s twin centuries, Rohit’s long-awaited ton, and Iyer’s consistent contributions.
✔ Bowling Masterclass: Arshdeep, Rana, Kuldeep, Jadeja, and Axar kept England in check.
✔ Fielding Excellence: Iyer’s outstanding efforts in the field played a significant role in India’s success.

With this dominant performance, Team India showcased their depth and versatility, sending a strong message ahead of future international tournaments. The series win will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they prepare for upcoming challenges.