South Africa fielding great Rhodes guides Mumbai players on technique for pouching high catches; MCA coach Pradeep Sunderam says his knowledge helped coaches learn too
SA great Jonty Rhodes interacts with Mumbai cricketers at the MCA-BKC ground on Saturday. Pics/MCA
Poor fielding and particularly poor catching was one of the prime reasons that led to Mumbai’s early ouster from the Ranji Trophy last (2025-26) season. And it seems the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) are looking to rectify this in all earnest, having invited former South African cricketer and legendary fielder Jonty Rhodes to help Mumbai players improve their fielding standards.
Catches win matches is a well known adage and Rhodes, who is known for his athleticism and outstanding fielding, spent around an hour at the MCA-BKC academy ground on Saturday afternoon, making fielding look rather simple and easy thanks to his technical inputs.
SA great Jonty Rhodes explains how to take high catches at the MCA-BKC ground on Saturday
MCA academy’s senior coach Pradeep Sunderam, who celebrated his 71st birthday with Rhodes and MCA officials on Saturday, reckoned that the interaction with Rhodes was a learning not just for the players, but also for coaches like himself.
“It [Rhodes’s guidance] was a superb learning experience for the players and also for our academy coaches, including myself. When Jonty was giving tips to all our age group cricketers, including the Mumbai U-23 men’s and women’s players about fielding and catching, I felt that I got to learn quite a bit too from his knowledge,” Sunderam told mid-day on Sunday.
Jonty Rhodes (left) and MCA coach Pradeep Sunderam
Rhodes, 56, who represented South Africa in 52 Tests and 245 ODIs, scoring 2532 and 5935 runs respectively, took 34 catches in the longest format and 105 catches in one-dayers.
The Proteas fielding expert explained exactly why fielders have been failing to get hold of high catches. “Jonty explained that most of the time high catches are dropped because fielders tend to run with their hands down and stiff. He said when a fielder gets closer to the ball his fingers should be close to his nose. He also showed the players how to run sideways by properly anticipating the ball to ensure the catch is taken correctly,” revealed Sunderam.
The players clearly enjoyed the session and had a lot of questions for Rhodes, who patiently cleared all doubts.
Interestingly, Rhodes might visit again. “MCA President Ajinkya Naik requested Rhodes to spare some time in the future again to guide Mumbai players and he replied positively, saying: ‘Definitely, I love India.’ A cricketer of Jonty’s stature, who is one of the greatest fielders of his time, guiding Mumbai players is a huge motivation for them and such seminars will definitely help our players improve,” added Sunderam, a former Rajasthan pacer, who claimed all 10 wickets in one innings against Vidarbha in a 1985-86 Ranji Trophy match at Jodhpur.
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