Jonty Rhodes steps down from Mumbai Indians' fielding coach role
Getty
Jonty Rhodes has decided to part ways with defending IPL champions Mumbai Indians after serving as their fielding coach for nine years and winning three titles. The former South African cricketer has been replaced by James Pamment, who has previously worked as New Zealand’s fielding specialist.
Rhodes has been part of Mumbai Indian’s journey since the 2009 IPL edition seeing them evolve from being strong contenders to champions. And after nine years, the club has now announced that he has moved away in order to focus more on his personal business ventures.
"Jonty has been a pillar of strength and energy in Mumbai Indians. His contribution cannot be valued in words. We respect his decision and wish him the best for the future. Jonty will always be a part of Mumbai Indians family for life,” said Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani.
Mumbai have always been a star-studded side, whether it be on paper or in the team management behind it. Losing Rhodes certainly takes away a massive name from the dugout.
"Over the last nine years, Mumbai Indians has set sporting benchmarks both on and off the field, and personally, it's been quite a remarkable journey for me to work with fantastic set of individuals like Sachin, Rohit, Anil, Ricky, Mahela and all the support staff and players over the years,” said Rhodes. Â
He has been replaced by James Pamment, who has earlier been associated with New Zealand team Northern Districts as their head coach.
"We are happy to introduce James Pamment to the MI Paltan (MI Fan Army). James is an experienced coach at the international level having worked with New Zealand Cricket as fielding specialist and development. What impressed us was the way James had coached Northern Districts in Champions League T20 in 2014, and to be honest, his sides' fielding unit was one of the best Mumbai Indians had ever faced," said Ambani.
