IPL 2020: KXIP players look to Mohammed Shami, try to follow standards he sets, says Jonty Rhodes

The Kings XI Punjab franchise players have been training in Dubai for the last four days now, and their new fielding coach Jonty Rhodes is ‘mighty relieved’ to be able to get out and be on the field with the squad.

In a video posted by KXIP on Sunday, Jonty Rhodes, who could be seen in his happy place – giving catching practise to the players – said that being locked up in their hotel rooms for the mandatory six-day quarantine period following their arrival in UAE was a tough one.

“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 was those first six days [in quarantine],” he told the KXIP official website.

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| Sadde fielding coach di battery vi charge rehndi hai#SaddaPunjab #Dream11IPL @JontyRhodes8 pic.twitter.com/Uk6Ofr0lvO

— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) August 30, 2020

Jonty Rhodes, who the spectators would be more accustomed to seeing in the blue of Mumbai Indians, as he was previously involved in the same role there, added that the players may take some time getting into the grind after the hard lockdown that they have all had to endure.

“Out here as part of the coaching staff, we have to manage the players, they’ve also had a long lockdown period. Even though a few of the guys have been practising in the nets, when they’ve had the opportunity, there’s no match practice in their systems.”

‘KXIP have talented young players’

He was all praise for the ‘talented young players’ in KXIP and said that they have the perfect role models to look up to in the squad that feature players like – Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair and Mohammed Shami.

“From an energy perspective, I always look to the senior players to lead that because there’s some talented young players – Mayank [Agarwal], Karun Nair, Deepak Hooda… some great fielders,” he said.

“But it’s guys like [Mohammed] 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 bhai’s speed with the ball, great technique and just showing the younger guys that he’s still got something left in the tank.”

IPL 2020 is scheduled to start in the UAE from September 19.