Jonty Rhodes discloses his love for surfing

Jonty Rhodes was not your orthodox cricketer but went on to appear in 245 ODIs for his country besides winning 52 Test caps. He had a different method when he batted but could literally fly across the ground to stop a ball or take catches. Currently, the fielding coach of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, Rhodes loves adventure and is at the Covelong surfing, music and yoga festival, 20 km off Mahabalipuram.

Rhodes’ love for surfing

Rhodes has been an avid surfer for a number of years. He overcame his fear of oceans by resorting to surfing and has done pretty well since then. Known to be the greatest fielder to have played the game, Rhodes finds surfing relaxing and went on to compare it with batting.

“I find it relaxing and challenging,” said the 48-year old. “There are a lot of similarities between cricket and sailing. When you are batting, every ball is different. It’s the same in surfing. No two waves are ever the same,” remarked Rhodes.

The South African loves his time in India. His love for the country is intense, to an extent that he named his daughter after the country. The former cricketer, who calls India as his second-home, has a keen interest in riding bikes. He outlines the difference between riding at home and in India.

“If I am in Mumbai, I try to take a Royal Enfield and go out on the roads. I have also been picked up by the Jaipur Riders and been taken out.”He said, “In South Africa, it’s all very fast. In India, sometimes the roads are congested and it’s fun.”

The South African loves riding bikes in India

Rhodes first set foot in India as a 24-year old cricketer in 1993. He says that he has seen both sides of the coin in India but still loves it. He likes to go to Lonavla, a hill station near the city of Mumbai.

“I have seen both the good and the bad here. But India is a spectacular country.”

“In Mumbai, I try and go to Lonavla. But Jaipur is special.”

Travelling on a train in India is on Rhodes’ wish list. “I want to do that next,” he said.

With a career spanning over a decade, Rhodes made 5935 runs in ODIs at a decent average of 35.11. His batting relied more on converting the ones into twos and the twos into threes. Even in those days, Rhodes’ strike rate stood at an impressive 80.90. He scored 2 centuries and 33 half-centuries batting in the middle order for his country. In Tests, Rhodes amassed 2532 runs at 35.66, scoring 3 centuries and 17 fifties. Apart from his batting credentials, Rhodes is always remembered for his energy in the field.