Former South African all-rounder Jonty Rhodes, who made a big name for himself during his playing days with his fielding, has picked a 35-year-old Indian star as the best fielder in modern-day cricket. According to Rhodes, Ravindra Jadeja is the best fielder because of his versatility in fielding at any position in the ground.
“Two of the players whom I have always admired as a fielder are Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja. They two are the best Indian fielders, but when I talk of modern cricket, the best fielder is surely Ravindra Jadeja, whom you all fondly call Sir Jadeja,” Rhodes told reporters.
“The reason why I consider him the best is because he can field at any position. You can place him at mid-wicket, long-on, or short cover. He is so quick on the feet that the batter fears when the ball goes to him. So more than catching or throwing the ball, the thing that matters in fielding is how quickly you reach to the ball. And that is where Jadeja is best,” he added, as per IANS.
Jadeja, who made his international debut for India in 2009 against Sri Lanka during an ODI match in Colombo, has played in a total of 72 Tests, 197 ODIs, and 74 T20Is so far. The 35-year-old all-rounder was part of the Indian team that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA. He played in all eight matches of the tournament, and a day after India’s title triumph, he announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game.
The Jamnagar-based all-rounder wasn’t picked for the ODI series against Sri Lanka but will be a key player for the Indian team in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh.
India will face Bangladesh in two Tests at home next month. The series opener is scheduled to take place at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 19, and the second match will start on September 27 at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.
Jadeja was picked in the India B squad for the Duleep Trophy 2024 as well but was released from the squad earlier this week.
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