The MSK Prasad-led selection committee named top three candidates for the post of India’s fielding coach on Thursday. Former South Africa cricketer and ex-Mumbai Indians fielding coach Jonty Rhodes was overlooked for the role.
The BCCI released a video on their official Twitter handle, where Prasad showered heaps of praise on current fielding coach R Sridhar. He hailed him as one of the best fielding coaches in the world. R Sridhar in all probability is going to continue as the fielding coach. Vikram Rathour and Bharat Arun are being considered for the respective positions of batting coach and bowling coach.
Here’s the video –
Chairman of Selectors, MSK Prasad speaks about R Sridhar's contribution to #TeamIndia and why Jonty Rhodes didn't make the cut. pic.twitter.com/IuWH5FeHI2
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 22, 2019
“R. Sridhar is one of the best fielding coaches in the world. Unfortunately in the World Cup, we had three wicket-keepers in the side and the combination was like that. Otherwise, he transformed the fielding unit so there is no second thought on that,” Prasad said at the press conference after the completion of the shortlisting procedure.
“We don’t see Jonty fitting in there because those roles are more for India A levels and for NCA,” he added.
Abhay Sharma and T. Dilip were the other two picks for the fielding coach role.
Head coach Ravi Shastri too backed Sridhar. After his re-appointment, Shastri said that India’s fielding has improved by leaps and bounds in the last four to five years. Now, the goal is to make the Indian team the best fielding unit in the world.
“In the last four-five years, the biggest improvement has been in fielding. And the endeavour is to make this side the best fielding team in the world. It’s a clear diktat to whosoever wants to play in this team to have spectacular standard of fielding, especially in white ball cricket.”
