When Gautam Gambhir took over as the Head Coach of the Indian team, it marked a significant change in the coaching setup, as the former Indian opener brought in his trusted personnel to work behind the scenes. Amid this transition, South African cricket legend Jonty Rhodes publicly expressed his desire to join the Indian team as the fielding coach.
Known for his unparalleled fielding skills during his playing days, Jonty Rhodes’ interest in the position attracted considerable attention. Despite Rhodes’ willingness, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chose to retain T Dilip as the fielding coach, extending his contract to continue in the role.
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However, Jonty seems to have kept his hopes alive. During a promotional event for the Bengali film ‘Tekka’ in Kolkata, actor Dev Adhikari and filmmaker Srijit Mukerji encountered Rhodes at the Shanti Pally Pujo celebration. Mukerji, in a light-hearted conversation, asked Rhodes when he would become India’s fielding coach, to which Jonty humorously responded, “Well, I am wearing blue and waiting for the phone call!”
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This playful remark, referencing India’s iconic blue jersey, showed that Rhodes still holds aspirations of working with the Indian team. Mukerji shared the interaction on Instagram, posting, “What a delightful interaction at Shanti Pally Pujo inauguration as a part of #Tekka promotions with THE Jonty Rhodes!”
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Meanwhile, Gambhir’s preference for his trusted allies led to further changes in the coaching staff. Abhishek Nayar, his Kolkata Knight Riders coaching mate, was appointed as assistant coach, along with Ryan Ten Doeschate, another associate from KKR. Additionally, Gambhir ensured Morne Morkel, his first choice for bowling coach, was brought in ahead of India’s series against Bangladesh, solidifying his influence on the team’s backroom staff.
