The reports suggested that veteran South African Jonty Rhodes had applied for India’s fielding coach after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had asked for fresh applications for the head coach and support staff respectively.
Following India’s exit at the ICC World Cup 2019 during the semi-final clash against New Zealand, the board has given an extension of 45 days for the coaching staff. Currently, they’re looking for the head coach apart from the other staff for the team.
Earlier, the fielding coach R Sridhar’s tenure has completed as well alongside chief coach Ravi Shastri.
Well, in 2017, the three-member committee of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) had retained Sridhar as the fielding coach.
The Hyderabad-based Sridhar had played a pivotal role to improve India’s fielding. Thus, his contract has culminated alongside Team India batting coach Sanjay Bangar at the culmination of the twelfth edition of the World Cup.
Jonty Rhodes to give a tough time to applicants:
With Rhodes in the race for the fielding coach, the Proteas cricketer had plenty of experience on his back before filing his nomination for the high-profile post. During his heydays, Rhodes had emerged as one of the remarkable fielders.
According to Mumbai Mirror, Rhodes had given it a shot, and thus he could give a tough time to the other applicants for the post.
Most often than not, Rhodes, who fielded at the point region had pulled off some sensational catches apart from stunning run-outs.
Instead of the direct requirement procedure, the Board had urged the contenders to file the nomination for the vacant posts until 30th of July.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff, including Ravi Shastri, will fly to the Caribbean with Team India for the bilateral series. The series is comprised of three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.
The much-awaited competition will commence from August 3 in Florida.
While speaking about Sridhar, his impact as a fielding coach has been visible in a couple of years. Sridhar had also made his CV stronger with Rhodes equally ready to give him a tough time.
Between 2009 and 2017, Rhodes had served the four-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions – Mumbai Indians (MI). He had also served Kenya and Sri Lanka in the past.
Also, Rhodes had a coaching stint with Pakistan in 2006.
The 49-year-old Pietermaritzburg had represented the Proteas between 1992 and 2003. He had played 245 ODIs and 52 Tests.