Ravindra Jadeja Is Very Good At Anticipating The Ball: Jonty Rhodes

Ravindra Jadeja is one of the best and certainly the best Indian fielder going around in world cricket in the modern era. Difficult catch? Check. Outrageous One-handed stunners? Check. Brilliant dive to save a certain boundary? Check? Bullet arm with pin-point accuracy? Check. Check. Check.

Jadeja is a complete package when it comes to fielding. He is box-office, someone who you want to pay to watch live. And, the fact that he is committed towards his craft is what puts him in a different league than the rest of the pack.

Former South African cricketer and someone who revolutionized the role of fielding during the 1990s, Jonty Rhodes has echoed the same during an Instagram Live interaction with Suresh Raina.

“Jaddu has taken some fantastic catches. The key is he is very committed. He is very good at anticipating the ball also,” Jonty Rhodes told Suresh Raina during an Instagram Live chat.

When asked about his favorite fielders, Jonty reckoned that he loves those fielders who have a great speed on the field. He went on to name Martin Guptill, AB de Villiers, Michael Bevan, and Ravindra Jadeja.

“I love to watch AB (de Villiers) batting or fielding. (Martin) Guptill is there. Jaddu. Also, Michael Bevan, he had excellent speed. Also Jaddu has great speed on the field.”Jonty revealed.

Also Read: Brad Hogg Picks Ravindra Jadeja As India’s Greatest Ever Fielder

After Ravindra Jadeja, Jonty Rhodes heaped high praise on Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina is himself a pretty brilliant fielder and the former South African legendary fielder heaped high praise on the 2011 World Cup-winner by comparing the southpaw with himself.

“You remind me of me. I know how hard fields are in India and I have always have been a big fan (of you),” he said.

Talking about the changes in the approach to fielding since his playing days, Jonty reckoned that unlike the past, there is a lot more attention given to fielding these days as people have now identified it as the third department of the game. He also heaped high praise on the athletic ability of the modern-day players.

“Fielding wasn’t a big part of the game then 1990s. “The difference between then and now is that then every team had 1-2 good fielders…now fitness levels are different. Not just in the IPL or T20 cricket. If Virat Kohli is batting in Tests, you don’t want to give him two chances he will bat and bat” Jonty Rhodes reckoned.

“Fielding has changed not just because of me..maybe people became more aware. But players have now identified that it’s the third department of the game and not just batting and bowling. The athletic abilities of players have changed,” he added.

Also Read: Suresh Raina Reckons He Still Has A Lot Of Cricket Left In Him

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