Former India captain Rohit Sharma paid an emotional tribute to outgoing fielding coach T Dilip, who brought the curtains down on his five-year stint with the Indian men’s team. In a heartfelt message, Rohit called Dilip a “legend” and a “behind-the-scenes workhorse”, acknowledging the role he played in shaping India’s dressing-room culture and raising the team’s fielding standards during one of its most successful periods.
Rohit’s social media post came in response to Dilip’s emotional farewell note after officially parting ways with the national side. The Hyderabad-based coach reflected on his five-year journey with Team India and thanked the BCCI, former head coach Rahul Dravid, current head coach Gautam Gambhir, the captains he worked under, and every member of the support staff for their trust and support.
“Five years. It’s difficult to find the right words for a journey that has meant so much. 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,” Dilip wrote.
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The former fielding coach also looked back on the now-famous fielding medal tradition he introduced during the 2023 ODI World Cup, an initiative that went viral and drew praise from former cricketers for rewarding excellence in the field.
“The fielding medal will always hold a very special place in my heart. 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,” he wrote.
Dilip also reminisced about the team’s major achievements during his tenure, including two T20 World Cup titles, the Champions Trophy triumph, two Asia Cup victories, and runner-up finishes in both the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship.
Soon after the post, Rohit shared a picture with Dilip on his Instagram Stories and wrote: “You are a legend, Dillip guru. You created magic within the group and a behind the scenes workhorse. Best wishes ahead @dillip.tk.19.”
Dilip joined the Indian team as fielding coach in 2021 and remained part of the support staff through multiple coaching regimes. While his contract was extended during India’s Test tour of England in 2025 after initially ending following the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI has now decided against another extension.
According to reports, former Assam cricketer Subhadeep Ghosh is set to take over as India’s new fielding coach, with the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka expected to be his first assignment.