Former Indian coach reacts to T Dilip getting an extension as fielding coach by BCCI

T Dilip is the only coach who has been retained from the Rahul Dravid-headed Indian coaching staff so far in Gautam Gambhir’s era. Dravid stepped down as India’s head coach after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies.

Well, Dravid’s assistants—batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip’s tenure with the Indian cricket team—also ended along with the head with the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

T Dilip deserved another extension as India's fielding coach: R Sridhar

However, the new head coach, Gambhir, retained Dilip as India’s fielding, as the latter had the great backing of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian selectors. He joined the Indian team in 2021, replacing R Sridhar, who worked with the team for seven years.

Reacting to the extension given by the BCCI to Dilip as the fielding coach, Sridhar said that the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning coach has done a commendable job, helping the Indian cricket team maintain its high fielding standard and given that he deserved another extension in his role.

R Sridhar was quoted as saying by IANS: “It’s a credit to Dilip for being re-nominated as the fielding coach of the team. That goes on to show how well the work he’s put in—the body of work that is put in behind the scenes. Many coaches work hard, and so many support staff work hard behind the scenes to ensure that the players are able to create such magic on the field.”

Sridhar added, “So, everyone in that World Cup-winning team, whether it is Vikram (Rathour), whether it is Paras (Mhambrey), whether it is Dilip, and of course, everyone knows what Rahul (Dravid) has brought. The other support staff, the non-quitting support staff, the S&C, physio, masseurs, throw-down specialists—everyone has contributed to the team’s success.”

T. Dilip will definitely do a great job with Gautam Gambhir: R Sridhar

The former fielding coach mentioned that Dilip introduced a competitive element into the Indian dressing room by bringing in the unique fielding medal award for the best fielder in the game. He said that Dilip’s idea has lifted the team’s performances on the field, saying, “So deservingly, he’s been given an extension.”

However, Sridhar said that Dilip doesn’t need to do something different under Gambhir’s leadership, stressing that he just needs to continue what he has been doing since joining the team. Well, the former fielding coach admitted that Dilip must understand the vision of the new head coach.

He signed off by saying, “I’m sure with the experience he’s got, with the rapport he’s got with the players, he will do a great job.” Notably, Dilip is currently in Sri Lanka with the Men in Blue for the limited-overs series, starting on July 27. It is Gambhir’s first assignment as India’s head coach.