“Yeah! Can you believe it?” – Jonty Rhodes reacts to getting ignored by BCCI for fielding coach role

Former South Africa international Jonty Rhodes has reacted hilariously on being ignored by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for India’s fielding coach role. The Proteas legend was rumored to replace T Dilip after Gautam Gambhir took the head coach’s role.

The BCCI, however, retained Dilip as the fielding coach following India’s exceptional performance on the field at the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. He remained the only coach to be retained after Rahul Dravid’s contract was over.

Rhodes recently told Aleena Dissects YouTube channel (via India Today):

“Yeah! Can you believe it? I mean, they didn't want an international coach, and I'm so local. I mean, mera naam Jonty Rhodes! (I'm Jonty Rhodes) Come on. I'm based in Goa. Maybe because I'm based in Goa. Maybe I need to be in a metro (city).”

Apart from Gambhir and Dilip, the Indian coaching staff comprises associate coaches Ryan Ten Doeschate, Abhishek Nayar and bowling coach Morne Morkel, who will begin his role with the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

Jonty Rhodes feels MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli brought fitness revolution in India

Jonty Rhodes believes that the former captains MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli brought about a fitness revolution in India. Speaking on the same show, he said:

“I've taken my hats off to the last two Indian fielding coaches. And it comes from captaincy. Under Dhoni, he had a lot of senior guys, and he just showed his physical ability, he still does at the end of his IPL career. Running between the wickets.... amazing, and he's 40. It's incredible. He certainly showed, just through his example, the importance of fitness and strength.

“Then Virat Kohli took over, and it was a part of the selection criteria. If you don't pass the fitness standards, it doesn't matter how good you are. Everybody was treated equally, and it took India to becoming a good fielding team,” he added.

While MS Dhoni continues to play in the IPL at 43, Kohli has chosen to play in ODIs and Tests apart from the Indian T20 league. Kohli retired from T20Is after helping India beat South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.