India wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh was awarded the Impact Fielder medal for the recently-concluded T20I series against England, with the team management recognising her impressive work behind the stumps despite the visitors suffering a 2-1 series defeat.

Richa stood out with a series-high three catches and several crucial interventions with the gloves, earning praise from fielding coach Munish Bali during the post-series medal presentation ceremony.

Announcing the award, Bali highlighted the wicketkeeper’s consistency and alertness throughout the three-match contest, where India also produced several encouraging displays in the field ahead of the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup.

“Richa Ghosh, three catches, excellent keeping. Very well done and two excellent stops too. Best impact fielder of the series, Richa Ghosh. Well done to you. Very well done. Congratulations,” Bali said in a video shared by the BCCI on its social media platforms.

The fielding coach also lauded the team’s overall effort in the field, pointing to India’s improved catching standards, energetic body language and commitment throughout the series against England.

“As Amol said, lots of positives, especially on the field. Throwing was very good. Our body language was excellent throughout the three-match series. Energy, effort, no complaints, and catching percentage were little good, 87 percent catching. Out of 15, we took 13 catches, 87 percent.”

Bali further appreciated Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues and Nandni Sharma for being great fielders in the series. “Shafali, three catches in the first game, excellent. As I said, her commitment on the field was excellent, with diving stops, well done. Jemmy, as usual, excellent throws, excellent energy.

“It’s not easy to run from mid-wicket to mid-wicket, and all the throws were coming towards Jemmy, the balls were coming towards Jemmy. In this series, I think she must have hit 30-35 high-intensity throws. Well done, Jemmy; it was excellent, and especially, on the bigger ground, we were challenging her, she didn’t concede a single double.

“Well done, Jemmy, for that. Nandni, well done; excellent catch and her body language was excellent. It didn’t feel like she came to play the first series for India in these three games. Well done, excellent,” he elaborated.

India will now play two warm-up games against the West Indies and England on June 8 and 10, respectively, in Cardiff, before opening their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan in Birmingham on June 14.