![Tilak Varma [Source: x/AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1784912126340_TilakVarma(5).jpg?type=hq)
Tilak Varma [Source: x/AFP]
Team India walloped Zimbabwe in the first T20I to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The outcome also helped the ‘Men in Blue’ end their unwanted losing streak, sustained with humiliating losses in Ireland and England over the past few weeks.
Celebrating the occasion, interim coach VVS Laxman as well as the rest of the Indian team management launched a new dressing room tradition, along the lines of the ‘Fielder of the Match’ award.
Tilak Varma became the first recipient to win this newly-introduced award, as per a near three-minute post-match video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Tilak Varma wins ‘Best Attitude of the Match’ award
Soon after India’s win in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club, interim coach VVS Laxman explained that he and the rest of the team management has decided to launch a new post-match dressing room award, titled ‘Best Attitude of the Match’ award.
While explaining the reasoning behind this new initiative, the former Indian cricketer equated attitude with “skill”.
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India’s strength and conditioning coach A.I. Harrsha later named Tilak Varma as the first recipient for this new award, claiming that the cricketer demonstrated excellent “attitude on and off the field”.
Receiving a makeshift medal stylized along the lines of the ‘Fielder of the Match’ award, Tilak said “I always try to do what the team needs from me, I give my best for that. And one thing is that the hard work I put off the field helps me better on the field. So, thanks to all the trainers.”
How is “best attitude award” different from “best fielder”
Since 2023, Team India began a post-match tradition by gifting ‘Best fielder of the Match’ award to the best fielders from the Indian team for every match. The decision was undertaken by previous fielding coach T Dilip, who reportedly left the role just before the Zimbabwe tour.
Its primary aim was to inspire players to up their fielding game. Dilip also occasionally invited legendary former cricketers inside the Indian dressing room to hand out the winning medals.
However, the newly-introduced ‘Best Attitude award’ is given to players based on their pre-match training and on-field dedication in the team, which pretty much covers all aspects of the game.
Tilak Varma stars on the field as India snap Shreyas Iyer’s losing streak
While Tilak did not get to bat much in the game, the cricketer performed some excellent saves on the field and took a neat catch to dismiss Ryan Burl to restrict Zimbabwe to 125-7 in 20 overs.
Later, teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blasted a 19-ball half-century to blaze Team India past Zimbabwe with seven wickets and 40 balls to spare. The outcome marked India’s first T20I win ever since Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma became the new captain and vice-captain of the side.
The ‘Men in Blue’ will now face Zimbabwe in the second T20I of the series on Saturday, July 25.
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