Mumbai Indians fielding coach’s wife gives birth to boy, the couple’s second child in the city

South African cricketing legend and Mumbai Indians fielding coach Jonty Rhodes was blessed with a baby boy on Sunday evening in Mumbai. His wife Melanie opted for a water birth at the Surya Child Care Hospital in Santacruz, where she had delivered their first baby, a girl they named India.

“The baby is healthy and weighs 3.7 kg. The mother is doing very well too,” Dr. Bhupendra Avasthi, paediatrician and founder of the hospital, said. The delivery was carried out by gynaecologist Dr. Ameet Dhurandhar. According to Dr. Avasthi, Melanie walked into the hospital around 5.30 p.m. and immediately went into labour. “The water birth was extremely comfortable for her. She was up and walking around within an hour after delivery,” he said adding the hospital has carried out nearly 40 water births so far.

The couples first baby was born during the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) eighth season. “This time, Mr. Rhodes is away for the final [against Rising Pune Supergiant in Hyderabad]. He is expected to arrived early on Monday,” added Dr. Avasthi. Mr. Rhodes took to Twitter to announce the arrival of his son. “The prize before the prize @mipaltan? Nathan John “plunged” into the world at 6:20 pm on IPL final #poolbirth #earthmother #incredibleindia” the former Proteas fielding genius tweeted.