“This is unique to Indian cricket, the outpouring of condolences and feelings for Ajit Wadekar. He was seen as a game-changer in 1971, winning India’s first overseas (against the West Indies and England). Australian, South African cricket or some other country will not understand this. In India, cricket is so much part of the people. Hence the outpouring of feelings for Ajit Wadekar,” said former South African fielding great Jonty Rhodes, Brand Ambassador of ISUZU Motors here on Thursday.
Rhodes who was Mumbai Indians’ fielding coach for nine years said that India’s young cricketers of today are athletes comparable to international standards. “Of the 10 best catches taken in the first three/four years of IPL, eight were overseas players. Now, majority of the best catches are taken by young Indians.”
Catching technique
The South African who has been visiting India for more than two decades explained a reason for Indians putting down catches in the ongoing Test series in England. “In a majority of cases, in India catches come at a height between the knee and ground and fielders take catches with fingers pointing downwards; in South Africa, Australia and England players take catches at the slip cordon in reverse cup style with fingers pointing upwards. One can change the habit in four or six weeks of IPL, but they slip back to old habits after the IPL. “
Rhodes also pointed at the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the first two Tests. “ These two were key to India’s performance in South Africa. There was a time when India’s fast bowlers were defensive; now they are aggressive and go for wickets.”
Responding to a question if South African cricket has lost a lot following the retirement of A.B. de Villiers, Rhodes felt that South Africa must not look to replace AB with another AB. “You can never replace Sachin Tendulkar or a Virat Kohli. You cannot compare them. South African cricket should rely on its core strength.”