‘Don't feel bad for me’ – Jonty Rhodes responds to a fan after PBKS fielders drop three catches against RR

On Monday, April 12, Punjab Kings (PBKS) won their opening game of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) against the Rajasthan Royals. After posting a target of 222 for Sanju Samson and Co to chase down, the Punjab-based franchise came out trumps by four runs. But amidst the victory, PBKS had reasons to worry after they dropped as many as three catches.

In the second over, Manan Vohra got a lifeline when Murugan Ashwin dropped a simple catch at the third man off Jhye Richardson. The missed chance didn’t cost Punjab much as left-armer Arshdeep Singh trapped Vohra soon after. In the fourth over, it was KL Rahul, the PBKS skipper, who dropped a catch behind the stumps. The unlucky bowler in this case was Arshdeep.

Samson got yet another lifeline in the ninth over. The RR captain went on to score 119 runs off 63 balls with 12 fours and seven sixes. He also got the Player of the Match award. In the meantime, a fan on Twitter had some consolation words for fielding coach Jonty Rhodes. The supporter posted a picture from the Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan.

Jonty Rhodes shows a positive mindset

But Rhodes said that he wished to celebrate the victory more than ruing the dropped chances. The retired South African cricketer took to Twitter and wrote, “Don’t feel bad for me, I will take the win over a great fielding display any day!!”

Don't feel bad for me, I will take the win over a great fielding display any day!! #work2bdone #wegotthepoints #startwithawin https://t.co/7EIvQjjphC

— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) April 12, 2021

After the victory at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Rahul said that he was confident of Punjab making a comeback despite some lusty blows from the Royals’ batters. Rahul also revealed the reason behind giving Arshdeep the responsibility to bowl the last over.

“I didn’t stop believing in the team, and we knew a couple of wickets will bring us back. The game went deep only because me included, we dropped some sitters. We bowled well until about 11-12 overs. We’re used to this, and it’s not something new for us, but a win like this brings the team together,” Rahul said after the game.

“We batted really well and bowled well in patches. We weren’t consistent with the lengths but the bowlers will learn. I always go to Arshdeep for crucial overs and he enjoys the pressure. He loves being in the contest and I love throwing him the ball, and he trusts himself and trusts his skills, so that’s always good to see,” he added.