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Jonathan Neil “Jonty” Rhodes, the former South African cricketer is in romance with India. He has become a brand ambassador for not only the Japanese automotive major Isuzu in India, but promotes his bonding with India passionately.
Known for his bubbly nature and brilliant and electric fielding, Jonty has been visiting India since 1993 and now spends about four months a year due to his engagement with Indian Premier League team Mumbai Indians as a fielding coach.
‘Auspicious rain’
Speaking on the sidelines after the launch of Isuzu’s new SUV, on a day when it was raining, Jonty, dressed in traditional Sherwani, said, “In South Africa, where I grew up, rains are seen as auspicious and so do people here. This augurs well for Isuzu.”
In India with his wife and two agile kids “difficult to contain,” Jonty has been touring several parts of the country, including the backwaters of Kerala and the Western ghats. “Driving in an SUV is one big advantage as people don’t mess with big vehicles. This is the only rule I have come to know in India for vehicle drivers; that is bigger the vehicle, you get right of way. You are sure nobody messes with you on the road.”
“During my childhood and cricketing days, I grew up in Apartheid South Africa where people and communities were set apart. I grew up in schools where white kids studied. This was unfortunate. The more time I spend in India, I try and explore more places and enjoy its diversity,” he said.
Sumptuous food
“Every time I visit Hyderabad, I get a chance to call on Ambati Rayudu’s (Indian Cricketer) home where his mother serves choicest foods. After eating such luxurious food, including Biryani there, I wonder how people can move around comfortably and stay fit. It is hard to resist and very hard to keep fit after eating such food,” he said.
“My wife enjoys her stay in India and embraces ideas and thinking and we are enjoying every moment of our stay and have seen both highs and lows,” he added.
Significantly, Rhodes also represented South Africa at hockey, and was chosen as part of the 1992 Olympic Games squad to go to Barcelona. The squad, however, did not qualify to go to the tournament. He was also learnt to have been called up for trials to play in the 1996 Olympics but was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
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