Jonty Rhodes ‘surprised’ for being overlooked for India’s fielding coach role despite Gambhir’s backing
Rhodes 'surprised' on missing India fielding coach role despite GG's backing
Former South Africa great Jonty Rhodes broke his silence at missing out on Team India’s fielding coach role despite having Gautam Gambhir’s backing. Rhodes, regarded as the best fielder ever, has a long association with India and Indian cricket, having played handy leadership roles with several IPL franchises before. Moreover, he even named his daughter India.
Rhodes worked with Gambhir at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) before Gautam returned to his former franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, ahead of the last season, which they won.
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Meanwhile, before accepting Team India’s head coach role, Gambhir reportedly put out a few conditions, which included having the backroom staff of his choice. Though the BCCI accepted most of his conditions, with Gambhir bringing in Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate as assistant coaches, they retained T Dilip as the bowling coach.
T Dilip was India’s fielding coach under Rahul Dravid, with BCCI preferring to retain an Indian coach for the said position.
However, Rhodes, who now resides in Goa, detailed how he felt about missing out on the coveted job.
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“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.
Rhodes on Team India’s fielding standards
Rhodes has been following Indian cricket closely for the longest time, and upon being asked what he thinks of the team’s fielding standards, he said under two captains – MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, the Men in Blue have maintained fitness and fielding standards, something he’s proud of.
“I've taken my hats off to the last two Indian fielding coaches. And it comes from captaincy. Under Dhoni… 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, the importance of fitness and strength,” said Rhodes.
“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.
Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir, with his new-look backroom staff and the Test Team, assembled in Chennai on Friday (Sep 13), beginning the preparations for the Bangladesh Tests starting September 19 in Chennai.
Kanpur will host the second TestSeptember 27 onwards.
(With inputs from agencies)
