Jonty Rhodes names his newborn baby girl 'India'

Mumbai: Former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes was blessed with a baby girl here on Thursday afternoon. The cricketer, with wife Melanie, decided to name their daughter ‘India’.

Rhodes, now the fielding coach of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians, tweeted Thursday night that he has become a father.

"@mipaltan good luck tonight from baby Rhodes!! India Jeanne Rhodes born 3:29pm weighing 3.7kg! Mum and baby perfect #ApunKaSuperstars," Rhodes tweeted on Thursday ahead of MI's match against Delhi Daredevils in New Delhi.

The baby, born in Surya Mother and Child Care Hospital in Santacruz (West) in the midst of IPL, is a water baby.

According to reports, the couple had been preparing for the water birth – not common in India – for a long time.

The concept of water birth is highly recommended in the UK and US because it creates a natural habitat for the baby and is less painful for the mother.

Rhodes is not the only one whose daughter has an Indian connection. Former New Zealand cricketer Dion Nash had also named his daughter ‘India Lily’.