Jonty Rhodes picks the best fielders in modern-day cricket

Jonty Rhodes, the former South African cricketer was involved in a live Instagram session with Indian middle-order batsman Suresh Raina on Sunday. During the interaction, the 50-year-old picked Ravindra Jadeja as one of the best fielders in the modern-day cricket. Moreover, he also explained fielding importance in international cricket.

Rhodes himself is rated as one of the best fielders in the history of international cricket. Moreover, he had mentored Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League as their fielding coach in the past. In the ongoing year, he was all set to play the same role for Kings XI Punjab. But, BCCI suspended the cash-rich league indefinitely amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Jonty Rhodes picks the best fielders

During the live session, the former player said that Ravindra Jadeja has taken many fantastic catches in the past. As per him, the key to Jaddu’s success is his focus on the field and his anticipation skills. He also took the names of AB de Villiers, Martin Guptill and Michael Bevan alongside the Indian all-rounder as the best fielders he has ever watched in international cricket.

“Jaddu has taken some fantastic catches. The key is he is very committed. He is very good at anticipating the ball also. I love to watch AB (de Villiers) batting or fielding. (Martin) Guptill is there. Jaddu. Also, Michael Bevan, he had excellent speed. Also, Jaddu has great speed on the field,” Rhodes told Raina during the live Instagram session.

Raina also asked Rhodes to explain what has changed in the fielding department from the time when he made his international debut. To which, the 50-year-old said that fielding was not a big part in the ’90s and none of the teams used to give emphasis to it. But, now teams have explored that fielding can also win them matches. He went on to add that today every player looks extremely fit and athletic on the field that sometimes helps their side in changing the phase of the game.

“Fielding wasn’t a big part of the game then 1990s. “The difference between then and now is that then every team had 1-2 good fielders…now fitness levels are different. Not just in the IPL or T20 cricket. If Virat Kohli is batting in Tests, you don’t want to give him two chances he will bat and bat.” he added.