Kings XI Punjab fielding coach Jonty Rhodes believes that senior players like Mohammad Shami must lead from the front and set an example for youngsters in the team by setting up high fielding standards during the upcoming 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
The South African is returning to the IPL after having spent two seasons away post his stint with the Mumbai Indians with his maiden stint with the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL 2020 starting from 19th September in the United Arab Emirates.
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Jonty, who has recently joined the KXIP coaching staff led by Anil Kumble, Andy Flower, and Wasim Jaffer in Dubai, has high expectations from super-fit Shami to lead the way for the youngsters.
Rhodes said in a video posted by the KXIP on its official Twitter handle: “From an energy perspective, I always look to the senior players to lead because there are some talented young players like Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Deepak Hooda, some great fielders.”
He further added, “But it's guys like Shami who, for me, are so important to this outfit because they are often looked up to and respected in very high regard, especially in Indian cricketing circles. If they are setting high standards, then young players, it's easier for them to follow.
So it's great to see Shami speed to the ball, great technique and just showing the younger guys that he's still got something left in the tank.”
On a fresh start at IPL 13, Rhodes said: “I must confess. Being away from home was a big concern, having spent the last five months in lockdown in South Africa. But the biggest hurdle I had to overcome were these first six days here in the UAE.”
He signed off by saying, “Obviously, as part of the coaching staff, we have to manage the players; they’ve also had a long lockdown period and even though few of the guys had been practicing in the nets, there’s no match practice or match in their system.”
(With IANS Inputs)
