BCCI reinstates T Dilip as India’s fielding coach for England Exams, a month after sacking

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to bring T Dilip back on board. The fielding coach’s contract had ended last month and the BCCI didn’t want to extend it. Having joined the team at the end of 2021 under Rahul Dravid, Dilip’s original stint ended when Dravid resigned after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.

T Dilip back as India’s fielding coach

The Gautam Gambhir-led management continued with Dilip as India’s fielding coach and he was given a 1-year contract. We heard in April that BCCI didn’t wish to continue with him. After nearly 2 months of looking for a suitable foreign fielding coach, the board has decided to return back to Dilip. And he’s been once again given a 1-year contract.

“We have decided to reappoint Dilip for a year and he will be travelling with the Indian team for England. His contract so far is for one year,” a BCCI source told Indian Express.

Importance in England

Under Dilip, India’s fielding has been great. He found fame when he started awarding players for their fielding after each match. This happened in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Ravichandran Ashwin had hailed him for improving India’s slip fielding as well.

“Close-in catching, in places like short-leg, is a very difficult thing. You don’t get good fielders like this. Jaiswal himself volunteers and stands up. He also does head-to-head work. So, all in all, we didn’t get to see Dilip sir’s name not getting mentioned more prominently,” Ashwin had said.

Since slip catching will be of high importance in England in the upcoming 5-match Test series, the BCCI has made a good decision to bring him back. KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have formed a great slip-catching unit and Dilip would ensure they don’t give the opposition too many chances.

Team India are expected to leave around June 6 with head coach Gautam Gambhir, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, bowling coach Morne Morkel, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and fielding coach T Dilip.