Former India fielding coach T Dilip has shared an emotional farewell message after his stint with the Indian men’s cricket team came to an end. Reflecting on his five-year journey with the Men in Blue, Dilip said the memories and relationships he built during his tenure will remain with him for the rest of his life. Dilip joined the Indian team setup in November 2021, replacing R Sridhar as the fielding coach.
However, the BCCI decided not to renew his contract following India’s recent tour of Zimbabwe. Veteran coach Subhadeep Ghosh has now taken over the role, with his first assignment set to be the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning on August 15. Taking to Instagram, Dilip expressed his gratitude for getting the opportunity to serve Indian cricket and contribute to the team’s success over the past five years.
“Five years. đź’™ It’s difficult to find the right words for a journey that has meant so much,” Dilip wrote. “When I first walked into this setup, I came in with one simple intention—to give everything I had every single day. Fielding has always been my way of contributing to the game I love, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in this team’s journey.”
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One of Dilip’s most memorable contributions was introducing the now-famous ‘Best Fielder Medal’ during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The initiative quickly became a dressing-room tradition and was widely appreciated for boosting team morale and celebrating fielding excellence. “The fielding medal will always hold a very special place in my heart,” he said. “Seeing the excitement it created in the dressing room, the smiles it brought, and the value the players attached to it are memories I’ll carry with me forever.”
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The Hyderabad-born coach also thanked the BCCI for placing its faith in him and acknowledged the support he received from former head coach Rahul Dravid, current head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the captains he worked alongside during his tenure.
“A heartfelt thank you to the BCCI for believing in me and allowing me to serve Indian cricket,” T Dilip wrote. “To Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir, thank you for your trust. It was a pleasure working alongside both of you.”
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He also expressed gratitude to Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer, saying it had been a privilege to contribute during their leadership tenures.
Dilip signed off by thanking every player, coach, and support staff member who shared the dressing room with him. His tenure coincided with one of India’s most successful periods, during which the team won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the 2025 Asia Cup, cementing his place in a memorable chapter of Indian cricket.
