Rohit Sharma bigger than BCCI? T Dilip's reinstating raise serious questions

T Dilip is reportedly back as the India National Cricket Team’s fielding coach for another year ahead of the upcoming England tour, just weeks after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had parted ways with him, thanks to the strong backing of Rohit Sharma.

It is being said that Rohit Sharma’s influence played a key role behind the scenes in bringing T. Dilip back into the support staff of the Indian National Cricket Team ahead of the five-match Test series against England, starting on June 20 at Headingley.

T Dilip returns to the India National Cricket Team after Rohit Sharma's intervention

As reported by Cricbuzz, Rohit Sharma convinced both the BCCI officials and Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir to bring Dilip back into the fold, as he has full faith in the fielding coach’s expertise and his importance to the team to prepare them for a crucial phase ahead.

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The report said that the Hyderabad-based coach, who earlier worked with Rahul Dravid and then Gautam Gambhir, will rejoin the Indian cricket team ahead of their upcoming tour of England. Despite being told his stint was over, the BCCI has now brought him back on a temporary deal.

Earlier this year, the BCCI had sacked the batting coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach T. Dilip, along with a couple of other members of the coaching staff, after India’s poor performance on the Australia tour, citing the board’s policy about the tenure for the coaches and support staff.

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Rohit Sharma convinced BCCI and Gautam Gambhir to retain T Dilip as fielding coach

However, Rohit Sharma has personally requested Gautam Gambhir and the BCCI to retain Dilip despite retiring from Test cricket, and they obliged as India is set for one of their biggest challenges on the England tour. Dilip and Abhishek Nayar both were close to India’s former Test and T20I captain.

But Nayar moved on and rejoined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the middle of the IPL 2025 season. On the other hand, Ryan ten Doeschate, who was expected to replace Dilip as the fielding coach of the Indian team, will now continue as assistant coach.

The report reads, “Rohit Sharma has convinced both the BCCI and Gautam Gambhir to retain T Dilip as fielding coach. Sources say Rohit, despite announcing his retirement from Test cricket, personally requested Gambhir to retain Dilip. Ryan ten Doeschate, who was initially expected to replace him, will remain as an assistant coach.”

Notably, Dilip has become a popular figure in the Indian dressing room, thanks to his modern methods that helped raise the team’s fielding standards. He was also behind the idea of the "Best Fielder" medals, which became a hit among players and fans recently.

BCCI fails to find foreign fielding coach

As reported by The Indian Express, the BCCI was looking to bring in a foreign fielding coach but couldn’t find the right candidate. With no ideal replacement available, Dilip is now back in the role, just weeks after being sacked in April 2025.

Meanwhile, the India A team, along with some Test squad members, has arrived in England and checked into the team hotel in Kent. Only Akash Deep is yet to join, but he’s expected to arrive in the next couple of days. The Lucknow Super Giants will join the India A squad this week.

India A will face England Lions in the first unofficial Test from May 30 to June 2 in Canterbury. On the other hand, the main Test squad will take the flight from Mumbai to London on June 6.

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