India vs South Africa: Who Won The 'Impact Fielder of the ODI Series' Medal?

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Team India fielding coach Dilip T had introduced a best fielder medal in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, where a winner was announced for every match, but since the completion of the show-piece tournament the award ceremony had stopped.

However, from the start of the South Africa tour that saw fielding coach Dilip rejoin the Indian coaching set-up, the best fielder medal has returned in a new way. Instead of a best fielder award, it is now converted into an 'impact fielder of the series' in India vs South Africa.

In the T20I series, Mohammed Siraj bagged the award, while the debutant in the ODI series, B Sai Sudharsan received the 'Impact Fielder of the ODI Series' medal for taking a stupendous catch in the third ODI against the Proteas.

KL Rahul's side registered a comprehensive 78-run win over the Proteas at the Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday (December 21), sealing the three-match ODI series 2-1.

Following the match, Indian fielding coach Ajay Ratra showered praise on all three contenders KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan and Sanju Samson for their brilliant efforts. Ratra also said that it was tough to decide the winner.

While announcing the winner, he also revealed that the 'Men in Blue' skipper Rahul insisted that the fielding coach give the award to the young left-handed batter.

"There are few magnificent performances in the ODI series. Altogether, we have taken 12 catches during the ODI series against South Africa. KL has alone taken six catches. Sanju has taken two catches, one as a keeper and another as a fielder," Ratra said.

"Sai took one brilliant catch today. It was a tight decision to decide the best fielder. It was a tight call between Rahul and Sai. But Rahul was generous enough to say that the catches were on his hand and we should give this award to Sai."

Looking back at the ODIs against South Africa, India opened the series with a commanding victory, but the Proteas bounced back with an 8-wicket win in the second ODI to force the decider, in which the Men in Blue made a stunning comeback to win the final ODI.

This is only the second time India have defeated the Proteas at their home in a bilateral series. Earlier, the Indian team led by Virat Kohli registered a 5-1 series win in 2018.