Fleet feet and quick-fire throws, plucky catches and heart-stopping slides. If there's one thing the Mumbai Indians have offered IPL audiences consistently this season, it is their superlative fielding.
Fleet feet and quick-fire throws, plucky catches and heart-stopping slides. If there's one thing the Mumbai Indians have offered IPL audiences consistently this season, it is their superlative fielding. Even on Sunday, Mumbai Indians took the match away with some spirited fielding when they locked horns with Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.
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| MI's fielding coach Jonty Rhodes (left) offers a few tips to Aditya Tare as assistant coach Paras Mhambrey looks on. PIC/SHADAB KHAN |
After scoring 172, they restricted the hosts to 137. And while doing so, they affected three runs outs, which did not allow the hosts to set up a proper chase.
The excellent display on the field gave the side's fielding coach Jonty Rhodes another reason to feel proud.
Progressed"We have progressed a lot in the two years that I have been at the helm. The local Indian players, some of whom have come from the ICL (Indian Cricket League), have turned this side into a strong fielding outfit," Rhodes said.
"I am working with guys who are putting their hands up and taking responsibility. They know the matches are going to be tough and one person can make a difference. I am glad that all of them want to be the person who can make a difference," Rhodes added.
In fact, watch the table-topping side during practice sessions and the busiest man is Rhodes, who in his playing days set new fielding standards and gave cricket audiences the first consistent display of diving catches that all sides now attempt. Spending time tapping the ball around to give fielding practice to each of the players after their stint with bat or ball, he's still a livewire on the field, prodding and urging each of his wards to push themselves harder on the field.
That Mumbai Indians are putting in that extra bit on the field is distinctly evident. In the 11 matches they have played, they have won eight.
And in those eight matches, they have fired in all departments with their fielding being outstanding. Mumbai have effected ten run outs so far.
MI players like Saurabh Tiwary, R Sathish, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and even stumper Ambati Rayudu have effected some acrobatic saves and caused some sensational run outs. And it is not just the supremely athletic youngsters, who are throwing themselves around. Seniors like skipper Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh are hitting the high notes on the field as well.
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