T Dilip Bids Emotional Farewell to Team India After Five-Year Stint as Fielding Coach Ends

T. Dilip, the popular fielding coach who became synonymous with India's celebrated 'Best Fielder' medal tradition, has officially concluded his nearly five-year association with the national men's cricket team. His departure comes as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chose not to extend his contract, a decision that followed India's recent white-ball tour of England and the T20I series against Zimbabwe. On Monday, August 3, 2026, Dilip took to Instagram to share an emotional farewell, expressing profound gratitude for his journey with the team. Jammu & Kashmir Seamer Auqib Nabi Replaces Injured Jasprit Bumrah for Sri Lanka Test Series.

A Memorable Tenure and Heartfelt Gratitude

Dilip, who initially joined the Indian setup in November 2021 under former head coach Rahul Dravid, reflected on his tenure with immense pride. "Five years. It's difficult to find the right words for a journey that has meant so much," he wrote. "When I first walked into this setup, I came in with one simple intention, to give everything I had every single day."

His role saw him work closely with a generation of Indian cricketers, contributing to significant team successes. During his time, India secured the ICC Men's T20 World Cup titles in 2024 and 2026, the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, and Asia Cup victories in 2023 and 2025. He was also part of the squads that finished as runners-up in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship.

"The fielding medal will always hold a very special place in my heart," Dilip added, referencing the popular post-match tradition he introduced to reward exceptional fielding efforts, a practice that resonated deeply within the dressing room.

T Dilip's Emotional Note

 

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Coaching Staff Changes Ahead of Sri Lanka Tour

Dilip's contract ended on June 8, 2026, though he continued with the team until the conclusion of their engagements in the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. The BCCI's decision not to offer an extension was confirmed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. This move is part of a broader overhaul in the coaching staff under current head coach Gautam Gambhir, who took over from Dravid in July 2024. Notably, Dilip was the sole member of Dravid's support staff to be initially retained when Gambhir assumed the top role. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also recently departed from the setup, with his contract ending on June 10, 2026.

His replacement has already been named, with former Assam and Railways cricketer Subhadeep Ghosh stepping in as the new fielding coach. Ghosh's first assignment with the Men in Blue will be the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

IND vs SL Upcoming Series Details:

Both Test matches are scheduled to start at 10:00 AM local time (IST/SLST) and will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and streamed on JioHotstar in India.

Dilip extended his thanks to the BCCI, former head coach Rahul Dravid, current head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the various captains he served under, including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer. He concluded his note by expressing gratitude for the "unforgettable five years" he had the honor of wearing the India badge.

Dilip's departure marks a significant transition in the team's support staff, as India looks ahead to new challenges under head coach Gautam Gambhir and with Subhadeep Ghosh leading the fielding department.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 03, 2026 05:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).