Outgoing India fielding coach T Dilip bid an emotional farewell to the national men’s team on Monday, saying he was struggling to find the right words to sum up a memorable five-year journey that included multiple ICC titles and unforgettable moments in the dressing room.
Dilip, who joined the Indian team in November 2021, departs after his contract was not renewed following India’s T20I tour of Zimbabwe. Subhadeep Ghosh has replaced him as fielding coach and will travel with the team for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
‘Difficult to find the right words’: T Dilip
In an emotional post on Instagram, Dilip reflected on his journey with the Indian team and said his only aim from the beginning was to give his best every single day.
“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.
Fielding medal among favourite memories
Dilip said the post-match fielding medal tradition, which became a hallmark of India’s dressing room during the 2023 ODI World Cup, would remain one of his fondest memories.
“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.
He also looked back on some of the team’s biggest achievements during his tenure, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup titles in 2024 and 2026, the ICC Champions Trophy triumph in 2025, Asia Cup victories in 2023 and 2025, and runner-up finishes at the 2023 ODI World Cup and World Test Championship.
The Hyderabad-based coach thanked the BCCI, former head coach Rahul Dravid, current head coach Gautam Gambhir and the captains he worked with over the years, including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer.
“As this chapter comes to a close, I’ll always be grateful that, for five unforgettable years, I had the honour of wearing the India badge. Forever grateful. The journey continues,” he concluded.