Arguably the best fielder in the history, Jonty Rhodes, did not make the cut for India”s fielding coach. The former South African cricketer was interviewed by the MSK Prasad-led selection committee.
After his interview, Jonty revealed that his interview did not go as well as the “incumbent coach”.
“I am sure my interview was not as good as the one with the incumbent coach because he has been there for the last couple of years. Players have definitely worked with a plan. And you can see the progress as it just doesn’t happen. I am expecting that from an interview point of view – he kicked my butt.”
Jonty has been quite honest on why did not make the cut. There are no two thoughts on his love for the nation after he named his daughter India. He has also been the fielding coach of Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Jonty”s vision for Team India”s fielding was for it to be a team “who takes the most half-chances”.
“I have great respect for what they have achieved over the past three years. But I don”t want them to just be the team with the lowest drop-catch percentage, also the team who takes the most half-chances,” Jonty said.
“As a fielding coach, I did a couple of years of coaching with the South African team till the 2007 World Cup. Since then, I have only worked in India. I am way more familiar with the cricketing set up in India than I am in South Africa,” Jonty added.
R Sridhar who successfully kept his post was highly mentioned by the chairman of the selection committee, MSK Prasad.
“He (Sridhar) is one of the best fielding coaches in the world today,” MSK Prasad said. He also gives credit to Sridhar for transforming India to a “wonderful fielding unit”.
“Unfortunately in the World Cup, maybe he (Sridhar) would not have got the desired result as there were two three-keepers in the side (and) the combinations were like that. He has transformed this side into a wonderful fielding unit. So, there is no second thought with regard to Sridhar.”
Chairman of Selectors, MSK Prasad speaks about R Sridhar's contribution to #TeamIndia and why Jonty Rhodes didn't make the cut. pic.twitter.com/IuWH5FeHI2
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 22, 2019
Prasad stated that number 2 and 3 are more suited for India A and NCA level. Hence Jonty was not the right fit there.
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