Image Source: IPL
[Saba Sports News] In every cricket-loving child’s heart lies a dream to one day share a moment with their admired legends. Atharw K. Gupta, a young ball boy, lived this dream when he flawlessly caught a shot beyond the third-man fence during the Lucknow Super Giants vs. Kolkata Knight Riders match at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
After the match, where LSG suffered a significant defeat, legendary fielder Jonty Rhodes took a moment to chat with Atharw, who he had applauded from the dugout during the game. Rhodes asked Atharw if he ever lost sight of the ball in the floodlights, to which Atharw replied in the negative. Rhodes then inquired if Atharw preferred taking catches the Australian way (reverse-cup), prompting Atharw to shower praise on the former South African cricketer.
Atharw expressed his admiration for Rhodes and recounted a previous meeting at a fielding camp in 2020, where he learned a great deal. He also highlighted Rhodes’ unique achievement of winning a Player of the Match award solely for fielding efforts in a 1993 game against the West Indies.
Rhodes emphasized the basics of fielding—positioning hands and body under the ball and agile footwork—which Atharw executed immaculately. The video ends with a handshake and a namaste between the two, with Rhodes impressed by Atharw’s sharp memory.