Jonty Rhodes sat back, smiled and joined the applause. It was a grin of satisfaction as if to say, “My work here is done”.
Rhodes, the former South African batsman, had just witnessed one of the highlight reel moments of the 2013 Indian Premier League. From his vantage point, just beyond the boundary edge, he watched an old adversary roll back the years.
Had Twenty20 cricket been around a decade or so earlier, the ovation would have been for the flame haired South African – on a regular basis. In his pomp, Rhodes was arguably the world’s best fielder – capable of pulling off blinding catches and running out opponents foolish enough to take on his arm.
Rhodes is right in the thick of it. He’s currently employed as fielding coach of the Mumbai Indians – a team that has never quite lived up to the hype. Despite a galaxy of star names, Mumbai is still trying to end its frustrating wait for IPL glory.
Ricky Ponting is no spring chicken. At 38, his most productive years as a world-class batsman are behind him. But like all Australians, he is an instinctive battler who relishes a challenge and strongly believes in leading by example. A combination of those qualities tempted the Mumbai franchise to invest in his services and make him captain.
For professional athletes the clock is always ticking. In every career there is an optimum point where experience gained is matched by physical strength. It is a small window which closes slowly but surely over time. Ultimately the body always rules the head, finally screaming, “I can’t do this anymore!”
Ponting knows the window is almost shut. Soon it will be locked forever – but not just yet. Stretching every sinew, he took off instinctively; diving to his right and with his hand fully extended managed to wrap his fingers around the ball and catch it in mid-air.
An extraordinary piece of athleticism executed by a man whose personal drive and self-expectation keep him going. Had the chance fallen to a man in his mid-20s it would still have been a stunning dismissal. For Ponting, little short of a big ‘S’ on his chest and a flowing red cape seems fitting.
The theatre that followed was equally enthralling. Ponting ran to the bowler and embraced his teammate in that euphoric moment. The combination of bowler and fielder had tempted the batsman into a fatal mistake – always good cause for a team celebration.
The bowler was Harbhajan Singh. The ‘Turbanator’ had broken through with his very first delivery and he had Ponting to thank for what turned out to be his only wicket of the day. Like two teenagers on a school field they hugged in a display of sheer exuberance – both appreciating the contribution of the other.
Nothing strange about that. Until you consider the protagonists.
Five years ago Ponting and Singh were at the centre of one of the great cricket controversies of the modern era. Bitterness raged on both sides in the Australia-India series. Singh was charged with racism towards an opponent while sections of the Australian media demanded Ponting be stripped of the captaincy. Clearly time is a great healer.
Ponting’s influence in the IPL appears to be making a difference. Dinesh Karthik is repaying the faith shown in him and making the most of batting at No. 3. Mumbai’s leading run scorer admires Ponting’s “intensity on the field,” describing the Aussie veteran as a “great captain.”
Karthik is doing his best to keep pace with the usual suspects. The thunderous batting of Chris Gayle and his Bangalore teammate Virat Kohli are ensuring the Royal Challengers are among the early pacesetters. Between them they have already smashed 22 sixes.
Not even the great Jonty Rhodes can coach a player how to take a catch when the ball lands 15 rows back in the grandstand.