'Forever grateful': T Dilip bids emotional farewell after five unforgettable years with Team India
NEW DELHI: T Dilip signed off from his role as India's fielding coach with an emotional farewell message on Monday, bringing the curtain down on a memorable five-year stint that transformed the team's fielding culture and coincided with one of its most successful eras across formats.Having joined the national set-up in November 2021, the Hyderabad-based coach departed after his contract was not renewed following India's T20I tour of Zimbabwe. Subhadeep Ghosh has replaced him as the fielding coach and will travel with the team for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka beginning on August 15."It is difficult to find the right words for a journey that has meant so much," Dilip wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post that reflected on his time with the team."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."'The fielding medal will always hold a special place'Among the many memories Dilip revisited, none stood out more than the now-iconic fielding medal ceremony that became a dressing-room tradition during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The post-match award, introduced to celebrate exceptional fielding efforts, quickly evolved into one of the defining features of India's team culture, encouraging players to embrace athleticism and intensity 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.View this post on InstagramA post shared by T Dilip (@dilip.tk19)Dilip also reflected on the team's glittering achievements during his tenure, saying he would always cherish being part of two T20 World Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2026, the Champions Trophy victory in 2025, Asia Cup titles in 2023 and 2025, as well as runner-up finishes in the 2023 ODI World Cup and World Test Championship.He thanked the BCCI for trusting him with the role and expressed gratitude to former head coach Rahul Dravid and current head coach Gautam Gambhir for their unwavering support.Dilip also acknowledged the captains he worked alongside over the years, including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer."To every player, coach and member of the support staff... thank you. The memories we've created together will stay with me for the rest of my life. 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.Rohit Sharma's heartfelt tributeFormer India captain Rohit Sharma was among the first to pay tribute to Dilip, highlighting the enormous impact the coach had behind the scenes.Sharing a picture with Dilip on his Instagram story, Rohit wrote: "You are a legend Dillip guru. You created magic within the group and a behind the scenes workhorse. Best wishes ahead."The message summed up the respect Dilip earned within the dressing room, where he was widely credited with elevating India's fielding standards while fostering a competitive yet enjoyable atmosphere. His innovative medal ceremony became symbolic of that culture, with players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja among the notable recipients over the years.
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