T Dilip's farewell: India fielding coach signs off after 5-year tenure
Synopsis
T Dilip's five-year run as India's fielding coach ended quietly after the BCCI declined to renew his contract post the Zimbabwe T20I tour. His farewell note — listing two T20 World Cups, a Champions Trophy, and two Asia Cups — doubles as a quiet reminder of how much India's fielding standards evolved on his watch.
Key Takeaways
T Dilip has stepped down as India's fielding coach after a five-year tenure beginning November 2021 .
His contract was not renewed by the BCCI following India's T20I tour of Zimbabwe .
During his tenure, India won two ICC T20 World Cups (2024, 2026) , the ICC Champions Trophy (2025) , and two Asia Cups (2023, 2025) .
Subhadeep Ghosh has been named as his replacement and will accompany the team to Sri Lanka for the series starting 15 August .
Dilip paid tribute to coaches Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir , and six captains he served under.
Outgoing India fielding coach T Dilip on Monday, 3 August shared an emotional farewell message on Instagram, marking the end of a five-year association with the Indian men's cricket team. Dilip, who joined the national set-up in November 2021, departed after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chose not to renew his contract following India's T20I tour of Zimbabwe.
The Farewell Message
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Dilip reflected on what the tenure meant to him. '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,' he wrote.
The Hyderabad-based coach also paid tribute to the fielding medal tradition he championed — a light-hearted yet competitive ritual in the Indian dressing room that gained particular prominence during the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup. '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 added.
Honours Accumulated Over Five Years
Dilip listed the titles he was part of during his stint: two ICC Men's T20 World Cup triumphs (2024 and 2026), the ICC Champions Trophy triumph (2025), two Asia Cup triumphs (2023 and 2025), and runner-up finishes at the ICC World Test Championship and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup (2023). The collection underlines a golden era for Indian cricket across all formats.
Gratitude to BCCI, Coaches and Captains
Dilip expressed gratitude to the BCCI, former head coach Rahul Dravid, and current head coach Gautam Gambhir for their trust and collaboration. He also thanked the captains he served under — Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer — calling it 'a privilege to work with each of you and contribute during your time as captains.' He signed off: 'Forever grateful. The journey continues.'
What Changes Next
Subhadeep Ghosh has been appointed as Dilip's successor and is set to travel with the Indian team to Sri Lanka for a two-match series beginning 15 August. Dilip's exit marks a significant transition in India's support staff as the team enters a fresh cycle under Gambhir's leadership.
Point of View
Yet there has been no public explanation from the BCCI for the decision. The fielding medal initiative he pioneered became a visible marker of India's improved ground fielding culture — something that does not always show up in scorecards but shapes match outcomes. Replacing institutional knowledge mid-cycle, just as a new head coach settles in, carries transition risk that the board appears to have accepted without public discussion.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did T Dilip leave as India's fielding coach?
T Dilip's contract as India's fielding coach was not renewed by the BCCI following the Indian team's T20I tour of Zimbabwe. No official reason has been stated publicly; his departure marks a routine contract cycle change rather than any reported disciplinary action.
Who has replaced T Dilip as India's fielding coach?
Subhadeep Ghosh has been appointed as the new India fielding coach. He is set to travel with the team to Sri Lanka for a two-match series beginning 15 August.
What trophies did India win during T Dilip's tenure?
During Dilip's five-year tenure, India won two ICC Men's T20 World Cups (2024 and 2026), the ICC Champions Trophy (2025), and two Asia Cup titles (2023 and 2025). The team also reached the finals of the ICC World Test Championship and the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
What was the fielding medal tradition T Dilip introduced?
T Dilip championed a fielding medal tradition within the Indian dressing room, where the best fielder of the match was recognised after games. The initiative gained widespread attention during the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup and became a symbol of the team's competitive fielding culture.
How long was T Dilip the India fielding coach?
T Dilip served as India's fielding coach for five years, joining the national men's set-up in November 2021 and departing in 2026 after the Zimbabwe T20I tour.
