India Today Sports Desk

New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 14, 2024 13:21 IST

In Short

• Jonty Rhodes is considered as the greatest fielder ever
• Rhodes is the fielding coach of LSG
• Rhodes has a special connection with India

Former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes has given a hilarious rant on not being picked as India’s fielding coach by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). Notably, after Gautam Gambhir was appointed as India’s head coach there were widespread reports of Rhodes also becoming a member of the coaching staff as a fielding coach.

Given that Gambhir had worked closely with Rhodes during his stint with LSG, it seemed almost certain that the legendary fielder will join the coaching staff. However, the BCCI didn’t go ahead with his appointment as they reportedly didn’t want a foreign coach. Recently, he opened up on his rejection and hilariously proved his connection with India introducing himself in hindi.

“Yeah! Can you believe it? I mean, they didn't want an international coach, and I'm so local. I mean, mera naam Jonty Rhodes! (I'm Jonty Rhodes) Come on. I'm based in Goa. Maybe because I'm based in Goa. Maybe I need to be in a metro (city),” the South African said during a podcast on Aleena Dissects YouTube channel.

Further speaking ahead, Rhodes praised India’s last two fielding coaches R Sridhar and T Dilip. He also mentioned how former India captain MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli brought a fitness revolution in the Indian team.

“I've taken my hats off to the last two Indian fielding coaches. And it comes from captaincy. Under Dhoniâ€æ he had a lot of senior guys, and he just showed his physical ability, he still does at the end of his IPL career. Running between the wickets.... amazing, and he's 40. It's incredible. He certainly showed, just through his example, teh importance of fitness and strength,” said Rhodes.

Rhodes praises Virat Kohli's special focus on team fitness

Rhodes mentioned how Kohli put special importance on fitness to earn selection in the national side during his tenure as the skipper.

“Then Virat Kohli took over, and it was a part of the selection criteria. If you don't pass the fitness standards, it doesn't matter how good you are. Everybody was treated equally, and it took India to becoming a good fielding team,” he added.

After BCCI rejected Rhodes, they extended the contract of T Dilip under whom Indian fielding has excelled remarkably. It even helped them end their 11-year-long ICC Trophy drought after Suryakumar Yadav took a sensational catch to dismiss David Miller in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Published By:

Rishabh Beniwal

Published On:

Sep 14, 2024