Jonty Rhodes' gracious response to fan calling Glenn Phillips a better fielder goes viral

Former South Africa legend Jonty Rhodes is often regarded as the greatest fielder the game of cricket has ever witnessed. While not many fans of the current generation have had a chance to watch Rhodes' sheer fielding brilliance, the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025, gave them a glimpse of the South African through the electrifying acrobats of the New Zealand all rounder, Glenn Phillips.

Notably, during the Champions Trophy final against India, Phillips plucked a gravity-defying catch of batter Shubman Gill while being stationed at the short extra-cover region. The Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santer floated his off-spinner outside the off stump on the fourth delivery of the 19th over, and Gill tried to hoick it over Phillips but in vain. After the catch and India's historic win, a fan in a heartwarming moment took to the social media domain to declare the New Zealander the best fielder of the generation and duly apologized to the 55-year-old for saying so.

However, on Monday, March 10, Jonty Rhodes noticed the tweet of the fan and showed his humility and true sportsman spirit by responding in a way which was totally unexpected. Rhodes came up with a rather gracious response which is winning hearts of the whole cricket fraternity.

"Don’t be sorry, I agree," Rhodes replied to the fan

Check out the viral reply of Jonty Rhodes here:

Jonty Rhodes@JontyRhodes8

Don’t be sorry, I agree x.com/diptiman_6450/…

Diptiman Yadav@diptiman_6450

Sorry @JontyRhodes8 we believe in Philips best fielder of this generation 🤗 #INDvNZ #NZvsIND #ChampionsTrophy2025

02:21 PM · Mar 10, 2025

2.2K163

Rhodes set fielding benchmark during 1992 ODI World Cup

Meanwhile, speaking of the fielding comparison and Jonty Rhodes' credentials, the debate regarding the best fielder has been going on for a long time. While Phillips' fielding did not stop Team India from lifting the Champions Trophy title for the record third time, he indeed set a new fielding benchmark for other players in the days ahead. Even during the league stage match against India, while being placed in the point area, Phillips took a breathtaking blinder to dismiss and leave Virat Kohli in awe of him. This acrobatic act reminded everyone of Sachin Tendulkar's catch off Lance Klusener's bowling, which was taken by none other than the great Rhodes leaving everyone stunned.

Aniket singh@CriketNpolitics

Jonty Rhodes against sachin Glenn Phillips against kholi Which one is better? #INDvsAUS #CricketTwitter #SachinTendulkar #ViratKohli

11:43 AM · Mar 04, 2025

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But the fact that the South African revolutionized the art of fielding back in the 90s era, set the benchmark for the rest of the cricket world. Notably, during the 1992 ODI World Cup, Inzamam Ul Haq's "flying run-out" remains forever etched in the cricketing folklore. But the game has continued to evolve with time and new gun fielders like Glenn Phillips are taking centre stage to redefine the fielding standards and also remind of the fielding excellence of Jonty Rhodes in modern-day cricket even today.