Jonty Rhodes, Kings XI Punjab’s (KXIP) fielding coach, praised opener Mayank Agarwal’s “fantastic” fielding effort at the boundary rope to save an obvious six with his acrobatic skills.
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) defeated Mumbai Indians after the end of two back-to-back Super Overs at Dubai as scores were tied and Mumbai Indians could not score required 6 runs in 1st Super Over to win the match.
Jonty Rhodes: Mayank Agarwal’s Fielding Was Fantastic Stuff
The scores were tied in regular 20 overs after both Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians managed to score identical scores of 176/6.
However, in the first super over Jasprit Bumrah conceded just five runs and Mumbai Indians looked set for a comfortable victory. Still, Mohammad Shami turned the tide by bowling successive yorkers and took the game into another super over.
In the second over, Mumbai Indians led by Kieron Pollard smashed 11 runs, but on the last ball, Mayank Agarwal saved an obvious six by jumping right at the edge of the boundary and throwing the ball back inside.
Jonty Rhodes said that the Kings XI Punjab’s players had spent a lot of time by practising similar stuff at the boundary rope.`
“Yeah, fantastic stuff, I think we’ve spoken about how fielding is especially defending the boundary when you have got a guy like Pollard at the crease. You know the ball is gonna come in the air at pace so great work from Mayank,” said Rhodes in a video posted on KXIP Twitter.
“It’s something that we practiced, I mean we spent a lot of time with the boundary rope in getting the guys catching the ball, pouncing it back. It’s become a special skill and great to see under pressure the boys stay calm. It always makes you feel good,” he added.
In the 2nd Super Over, Mumbai Indians managed to score 11 and not 16 as Mayank Agarwal saved 5 runs for his team by stopping a 6. Jonty Rhodes who is considered the best fielder in world cricket ever praised Mayank Agarwal’s effort by saving a certain six.
Jonty Rhodes: Pity That Arshdeep Singh Could Not Complete The Catch
Kings XI Punjab batted after Mumbai Indians in the regular 20 overs as KL Rahul, the leading run-scorer in IPL 2020 again scored a vital 77 off 51 balls with seven fours and three sixes. Earlier Mumbai Indians scored 176/6 after Quinton De Kock scored 53 and Kieron Pollard scored a brisk 34, and Nathan Counter-Nile also played a cameo of 24. Both batsmen played 12 balls.
Jonty Rhodes credited Mayank Agarwal for the spectacular effort but added that it was a pity that back up Arshdeep Singh couldn’t complete the catch.
“Arshdeep was backing up. It’s a pity that we couldn’t complete the catch, we could have saved 2 extra runs but hey, I’m the fielding coach so I’m a little bit fussy but great effort.” Jonty Rhodes signed off.
With the win against Mumbai Indians on Sunday, KXIP are at the sixth spot from the last position with six points in nine games now and will next take on table-toppers Delhi Capitals at Dubai on Tuesday, October 20.
On the other hand, defending champions, Mumbai Indians are at second spot with 12 points, two points short of front-runner Delhi Capitals, and will next face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday.