Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Jonty Rhodes Credits Virat Kohli for Transforming India's Fielding
Jonty Rhodes is a very famous cricket fielder from South Africa.
He said something nice about Virat Kohli, a famous Indian cricket captain.
Jonty said that Kohli changed the Indian cricket team so that everyone had to be fit and good at fielding.
Long ago, only one or two players on the Indian team were great fielders.
Now, even fast bowlers have to help save runs and take catches.
Jonty said there is no place to hide for any player anymore.
He also talked about one of his own best plays.
In the 1992 World Cup, he ran out a player named Inzamam-ul-Haq, and this made him famous.
Jonty said it was a spur-of-the-moment move he had never practised.
He also remembered catching Sachin Tendulkar and said the ball did not bounce.
South African fielding great Jonty Rhodes credited Virat Kohli with transforming India into a fitter and more athletic fielding unit.
Rhodes said Kohli insisted players be fit and good fielders, creating a team where 'there's nobody to hide, even the fast bowlers.'
Rhodes acknowledged MS Dhoni's role but said Kohli took the emphasis on fitness and fielding 'to another level.'
The comments came at the jersey unveiling of the Rotterdam Dockers franchise in the European T20 Premier League, which Rhodes co-owns with Bollywood actor John Abraham.
Rhodes called his 1992 World Cup run-out of Inzamam-ul-Haq his most cherished moment, saying it 'literally launched my career.'
- Who
- Jonty Rhodes, the South African fielding great, praising Virat Kohli and acknowledging MS Dhoni's role.
- What
- Rhodes said Kohli transformed India into a fitter, stronger fielding unit where no player, including fast bowlers, can be a weak link.
- When
- Not explicitly dated; the remarks were made at the Rotterdam Dockers jersey unveiling for the European T20 Premier League.
- Where
- Mumbai, with references to Durban and the 1992 World Cup.
- Why
- Because Kohli insisted every player be fit and a good fielder, raising India's fitness and fielding standards to a new level.
- Speaker
- Jonty Rhodes, South African fielding great
- Honored figure
- Virat Kohli, former India captain
- Occasion
- Jersey unveiling of Rotterdam Dockers, European T20 Premier League
- Rhodes' role
- Co-owner of Rotterdam Dockers alongside John Abraham
- Most cherished moment
- Run-out of Inzamam-ul-Haq, 1992 World Cup
- Umpire in famous run-out
- Steve Bucknor
- Other famous dismissal
- Catch of Sachin Tendulkar at backward point, Durban
- Location
- Mumbai