March 8, 1992.

The picture endures — as one of the most iconic images of cricket. The airborne fielder, horizontal to the last limb and joint, flying through the air, defying thought and gravity, breaking the three stumps. The moment is recounted hundreds of times, even today.

The image of Jonty Rhodes flying through the air to break the stumps of Inzamam-ul-Haq still lives on as one of the most fascinating memories of the cricket world. It made Rhodes a hero, a pin up boy of cricket, and redefined fielding forever.

Jonty came up smiling. Inzamam walked back, morose and crestfallen. South Africa won the match by 20 runs. The concept of a fielding all-rounder was born for the first time. A Protean team without Rhodes became unthinkable.

Jontymania found its way to posters on the walls, and also led to endorsement of a brand of trousers, a computer game, and a campaign to promote a wider understanding of epilepsy — a disease from which Rhodes himself suffered. In short, he was idolised across South Africa and the world.

Even today, the very mention of Rhodes brings back that image, the inspired leap, that flight through the air, the tumbling woodwork.

Text: Arunabha Sengupta

Illustration: Maha