Former India captain Rohit Sharma has paid a heartfelt tribute to T Dilip after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided not to renew the experienced fielding coach’s contract, bringing an end to a memorable five-year association with the national team.
Dilip played a significant role in transforming India’s fielding standards during his tenure and was widely respected for his behind-the-scenes work, helping the team win multiple ICC trophies while building one of the strongest fielding cultures in world cricket.
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Rohit Sharma’s Emotional Message for T Dilip
Taking to Instagram, Rohit Sharma shared a photograph with T Dilip and praised the coach for his enormous contribution to Indian cricket.
The veteran opener wrote:
“You are a legend Dillip guru. You created magic within the group and a behind the scenes workhorse. Best wishes ahead.”
Rohit’s message reflected the high regard in which Dilip was held inside the Indian dressing room. Although much of his work happened away from the spotlight, players repeatedly acknowledged the energy, discipline, and enthusiasm he brought to every training session.
End of a Successful Five-Year Journey
T Dilip first joined the Indian men’s cricket team as fielding coach in 2021. His initial stint concluded after the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy before he returned on a one-year contract during India’s Test tour of England in 2025.
Following the completion of that contract, the BCCI opted to make changes to the support staff, ending Dilip’s tenure with the national side.
His departure also comes shortly after assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate stepped down following India’s white-ball tour of England before taking up the role of Head of Cricket Strategy with Kolkata Knight Riders.
How T Dilip Changed India’s Fielding Culture
During his time with Team India, Dilip earned widespread praise for making fielding one of the team’s biggest strengths.
His coaching emphasized:
- Greater athleticism
- Sharp catching standards
- Improved ground fielding
- Aggressive intensity in every match
- Strong accountability among players
One of his most successful initiatives was the introduction of the “Best Fielder of the Match” medal ceremony, which began during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
The post-match presentation quickly became a fan favorite, with stars including:
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Hardik Pandya
among the players receiving the award.
The ceremony encouraged healthy competition within the squad while reinforcing the importance of fielding as a match-winning discipline.
T Dilip Shares Emotional Farewell Note
After his departure was confirmed, T Dilip posted a lengthy farewell message on Instagram, expressing gratitude to everyone who had been part of his journey.
He described the experience as one of the greatest honors of his career and admitted that finding the right words to say goodbye was difficult.
Reflecting on his five years with the national team, Dilip said he joined with a simple goal—to give everything he had every single day—and thanked the BCCI for trusting him with the responsibility of serving Indian cricket.
He also said the fielding medal ceremony would always remain one of his favorite memories because of the excitement and pride it created inside the dressing room.
Trophy Success During T Dilip’s Tenure
India enjoyed one of its most successful periods while Dilip served as fielding coach.
Major titles won:
| Tournament | Result |
|---|---|
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 | Champions |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Champions |
| ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | Champions |
| Asia Cup 2023 | Champions |
| Asia Cup 2025 | Champions |
Other notable achievements:
| Tournament | Result |
|---|---|
| ICC ODI World Cup 2023 | Runners-up |
| ICC World Test Championship | Runners-up |
These accomplishments highlighted one of the most successful coaching tenures for an Indian support staff member in recent years.
Gratitude to Coaches and Captains
In his farewell message, Dilip thanked everyone who supported him throughout his journey.
He expressed appreciation to former head coaches Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir for placing their faith in him.
He also thanked every captain he worked with across formats, including:
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Hardik Pandya
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Shubman Gill
- Shreyas Iyer
Dilip acknowledged the contributions of every player and support staff member, saying the memories they created together would remain with him for life.
Subhadeep Ghosh Appointed as India’s New Fielding Coach
The BCCI has appointed Subhadeep Ghosh as India’s new fielding coach ahead of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
Ghosh brings considerable coaching experience to the role. He previously served as the fielding coach of the India women’s team and was part of the coaching staff during the:
- 2022 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup
- 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
He has also worked with India A and served as head coach of Assam’s senior men’s team.
As a domestic cricketer, Ghosh represented Assam and Railways, playing 17 first-class matches and 17 List A games during his career.
India Prepare for Sri Lanka Test Series
India’s new support staff will begin work during the upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka.
India’s Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Three-day Practice Match | August 7 | Colombo |
| 1st Test | August 15 | Galle |
| 2nd Test | August 23 | SSC, Colombo |
The series will mark the beginning of a new chapter for India’s coaching setup, while T Dilip leaves behind a lasting legacy after helping establish one of the strongest fielding cultures in international cricket.
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Conclusion
T Dilip’s departure marks the end of a memorable chapter for Indian cricket. Over five years, he helped transform Team India’s fielding standards, introduced a culture of accountability through the popular fielding medal ceremony, and contributed to multiple ICC and Asia Cup triumphs.
Rohit Sharma’s heartfelt tribute highlights the respect Dilip earned from players and staff alike. As Subhadeep Ghosh takes over ahead of the Sri Lanka Test series, India begins a new era while building on the strong foundation that T Dilip leaves behind.