IPL 2020: Jonty Rhodes takes a one-handed stunner during Kings XI Punjab's training session

The much-awaited 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) is all set to get underway from September 19 with the first fixture between defending champions Mumbai Indians and runners-up Chennai Super Kings at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. The tournament will feature 56 league matches across three venues namely Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

The IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will be up against Delhi Capitals at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 20 for their first fixture of 13th edition of the lucrative T20 Championship. KXIP will be looking forward to changing their fortunes and claim their maiden IPL title under the leadership of newly appointed captain KL Rahul and Director of Operations, Anil Kumble.

Punjab had begun its journey by making it to the semi-finals of 2008 edition but after that, their last best performance came in 2014 where they were the runners-up. Other than the two seasons, the team has failed to make it to the playoffs and has been the wooden spooners thrice in the history of the game. They finished the 2019 season with 6 wins and 8 losses and ended their campaign with 6th place in the points table.

KXIP shares a clip of Jonty Rhodes’ fielding skills

Recently, the official Twitter handle of Punjab-based franchise shared a video of their fielding coach and former South African great Jonty Rhodes taking a stunning catch by diving in the air. Notably, the 51-year-old is considered as one of the best fielders to have ever graced the gentleman’s game. Rhodes’ fielding skills are considered as a benchmark in the cricket fraternity and by catching the ball out of thin air, he has reminded everyone that his skills are still intact.

Did you ‘catch’ that? 😮#SaddaPunjab #Dream11IPL @JontyRhodes8 pic.twitter.com/VmrCnQtgBZ

— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) September 14, 2020

Retweeting the video posted by KXIP, Jonty wrote, “Never too old to have fun in the @lionsdenkxip. Can still manage to fly at 51, just the landing is a little bumpy”

Never too old to have fun in the @lionsdenkxip Can still manage to fly at 51, just the landing is a little bumpy #SaddaPunjab https://t.co/4KYKrxmwZW

— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) September 14, 2020

Along with a fire batting and bowling line-up, Kings XI Punjab has a star-studded coaching staff too. The Indian veteran Anil Kumble will perform the duties of the head coach while Wasim Jaffer, one of the biggest stars of the Indian domestic cricket circuit has been roped in as the batting coach.

Zimbabwean great Andy Flower will essay the role of assistant coach and the South African duo of Jonty Rhodes and Charl Langeveldt will look after the fielding coach and bowling coach respectively.