Rohit Sharma pays emotional tribute as T Dilip ends five-year stint with Team India

Former India captain Rohit Sharma paid a heartfelt tribute to outgoing fielding coach T Dilip, hailing him as a “legend” and a “behind-the-scenes workhorse” after the Hyderabad-based coach officially ended his five-year stint with the Indian men’s cricket team.

Rohit’s message came after Dilip shared an emotional farewell note reflecting on his journey with Team India, thanking the BCCI, former head coach Rahul Dravid, current head coach Gautam Gambhir, the captains he worked under and the support staff for their trust and support.

“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,” Dilip wrote.

Looking back on his tenure, Dilip said the fielding medal tradition he introduced during the 2023 ODI World Cup remained one of his most cherished 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.

Dilip also recalled some of India’s biggest achievements during his tenure, including two T20 World Cup titles, a Champions Trophy triumph, two Asia Cup victories, and runner-up finishes in the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship.

Responding to the farewell message, Rohit posted a picture with Dilip on Instagram Stories and wrote: “You are a legend, Dillip guru. You created magic within the group and a behind-the-scenes workhorse. Best wishes ahead.”

Dilip joined the Indian team as fielding coach in 2021 and served under multiple coaching regimes. Although his contract was extended during India’s Test tour of England in 2025, the BCCI has now opted not to renew it further.

According to reports, former Assam cricketer Subhadeep Ghosh is set to replace Dilip as India’s new fielding coach, with the upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka expected to be his first assignment.