New Delhi: South Africa legend Jonty Rhodes lauded Indian all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina for their excellent fielding efforts on Saturday. He called Jadeja a “complete all-round” fielder in the world right now and said that he is a big fan of Raina. Rhodes is widely regarded as one of the greatest fielders of all time who became the first South African player to take 100 catches, during his stint between 1992 and 2003.
As he hung his boots, Rhodes coached several cricket franchises across the world, specially for fielding. He became associated with several IPL teams as well, including Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and most recently Lucknow Super Giants as a fielding coach. Rhodes’ valuable inputs can be clearly witnessed on the field when the player he coaches sabe runs for their team.
Rhodes was recently roped in as the brand ambassador of Hero Pro Corporate League cricket league and went on to talk about his field of expertise, also quoting a few names of which he is a big fan.
“I am a big fan of Suresh Raina. I enjoyed his playing days but now he has retired. In the past in India, the cricketing infrastructure wasn’t there to support the passion and love for cricket. Suresh Raina was someone who used to throw himself around the field. Unlike Raina, I had a very fortunate upbringing. I played football, hockey, and cricket on good grounds. So I was very fortunate,” Rhodes said.
“I think Jadeja is at the next level, he doesn’t dive as much but he is so fast to the ball. And his accuracy at throwing down the stumps is somewhat like Ricky Ponting. He fields on the boundary, he fields on the circle. He is a complete all-round fielder,” Rhodes added.
What it takes to be a good fielder? ft. Rhodes
The Proteas national revealed his key to becoming a good fielder, sharing meaningful insights. “It has nothing to do with the hands… it’s actually all about the legs because if you use your legs and are there at the right time, you can get your hands in a good position. You can have the best hands in the world and the most magnetic hands but if you don’t have the legs you cannot get there,” Rhodes said.
The LSG coach said that it is all about technique and quick body positions. He went on to reveal that even at 55, he still doesn’t think twice about diving on the field and that has what made him successful on the field, according to him. “If you are thinking about (not) diving you can never stop the ball. Practice like you play in the match,” Rhodes added.
Jonty Rhodes, a fielding wizard, heaped massive praise on the duo of Indian all-rounders Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja for their agile efforts on the field. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
