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EW DELHI: When you have a chat with probably the best fielder cricket has ever seen, it's not a surprise if the discussion revolves predominantly around the domain of fielding.
That's what happened when Indian cricketer Suresh Raina invited South African legend Jonty Rhodes for a live Instagram chat on Sunday.
Jonty acknowledged that the levels of fielding and fitness have improved tremendously in the game in comparison to his playing days.
"South African players were a good fielding side even during the 1992 World Cup - in which I came to the limelight, which was not the case in other teams. They had only 2-3 good fielders. But things have changed now. Fielding has become the third important part of the game, along with batting and bowling. It gives the player a value addition," Jonty said during the chat.
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Citing the importance of catching in cricket, Jonty said, "For example, catching in Test is just as important. You don't want to give players like Virat Kohli a chance even in a Test match."
The South African picked current India skipper Kohli as the fittest in world cricket.
"We have to look at different physical requirements for players, how often they got injured and how much fitness has improved their games. In that scenario, Virat Kohli's transformation from a chubby lad after realising the importance of fitness is unbelievable. Not only exercise but to look after his diet. He is the fittest in my opinion," the 50-year old said.
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Jonty ran out many batsmen in his playing days. He is still considered, by most, as the best fielder cricket has ever seen. So much so, that any good fielder, at any level, is often playfully nicknamed 'Jonty'.
But according to the fielding guru, there was one batsman he knew he couldn't run out no matter what in his playing days. When quizzed by Suresh Raina about this, Jonty said it was former Australian cricketer Michael Bevan.
"Michael Bevan was extremely fast. He was a middle-order batsman like me and for us the responsibility was to take the team home. So we made one run to two and were fast in between the wickets. And Bevan was very fast. For most of the time, a direct hit will get you a wicket but not with Bevan. He always reached home," Jonty said with a smile.
Jonty compared current India fielding sensation Ravindra Jadeja with Bevan, not in terms of running between the wickets, but in ground fielding.
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Jonty disclosed that his fielding was also based on anticipation and commitment and not on good reflexes, as many believed.
"I didn't have good reflexes as many believed. If I had I would have been a better batsman, like Brian Lara."
Jonty has a special connection with India and even named his daughter India. When asked by Raina about his special connect with India, Jonty said, "As a cricket player, we don't spend much time in the country we visit. Flight, stadiums and hotels. But since retirement, I have worked in India through IPL for 8-9 years. I make a point to see the country truly. I always borrow an Enfield bike and try to see India as much as possible. There was very little diversity in South Africa due to Aparthied when I was growing up and in India it is everywhere. It is a learning experience and I am growing with it. And since my wife is a yoga teacher and followed Vedanta, it helped."
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