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Former India fielding coach T Dilip has opened up about the most memorable moment of his tenure with the Indian cricket team, recalling the emotional silence inside the dressing room after India ended their long wait for a T20 World Cup title in Barbados in 2024.
Dilip, who played an important role in India’s fielding transformation during his time with the national side, said the moments immediately after the title victory remain particularly special to him. Rather than the trophy celebration itself, it was the brief silence in the dressing room that allowed him to understand the immense effort the players had put in over several years.
Speaking on JioStar, T Dilip said the Barbados victory remains his best moment with Team India.
“If I go back to my best moment, I think Barbados 2024, not just the trophy, but the dressing room atmosphere afterwards, the silence for a few seconds before it broke.”
He said that silence gave him a sense of the hard work the players had invested over the previous four years.
“I think in that silence, I could sense the amount of hard work the boys had put in over those four years. And I’ll always keep that frame in my mind.”
T Dilip’s Journey With Team India
T Dilip served as India’s men’s fielding coach from 2021 until the conclusion of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He later returned for a second stint during India’s Test tour of the UK in 2025 on a one-year contract.
During his association with the Indian team, Dilip was part of a highly successful period that included major ICC tournament victories. His tenure saw India lift the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while he was also involved with the team during the 2026 T20 World Cup campaign.
Dilip’s contribution was not limited to fielding drills and technical preparation. He became closely associated with an innovative fielding medal ceremony that helped create greater awareness and enthusiasm around India’s efforts on the field.
The medal presentation became a popular feature inside the Indian dressing room and among fans, particularly during the 2023 Cricket World Cup played in India.
T Dilip Explains the Idea Behind the Fielding Medal
One of the most recognisable aspects of T Dilip’s tenure was the fielding medal awarded after matches.
Dilip explained that the objective behind introducing the medal was to recognise a player’s overall contribution in the field rather than simply rewarding one spectacular catch or direct-hit run-out.
The concept was designed to encourage every player on the field to remain involved and look for opportunities to contribute.
“What I thought was to recognise the overall impact as a fielder rather than just a spectacular catch.”
According to Dilip, the medal created healthy competition within the team. Players who were not necessarily positioned in traditional fielding hotspots also began believing that even a small contribution could earn recognition.
He said this positive competition encouraged players to become more alert and value the smaller moments that can influence a cricket match.
“A little contribution would get me that award.”
Fielding Medal Created Healthy Competition
For T Dilip, one of the biggest successes of the medal was the change in attitude it created among the players.
The award encouraged India’s cricketers to celebrate each other’s efforts, regardless of how significant or spectacular the contribution appeared.
Dilip said players began noticing small moments on the field and appreciated their teammates when they produced something exceptional.
This helped turn fielding into a collective responsibility rather than something associated only with spectacular catches or athletic performances.
“They celebrated when their other teammates did something exceptional.”
Dilip described this as a major factor behind the success of the initiative, stressing that the medal was ultimately a team award.
The concept also resonated with supporters, who embraced the celebrations and helped make the fielding medal one of the more popular behind-the-scenes traditions associated with the Indian cricket team.
T Dilip Says Fielding Earned Its Recognition
The former fielding coach believes the medal helped fielding receive the recognition it deserved within Indian cricket.
Traditionally, batting and bowling performances often receive greater attention because they produce easily measurable statistics. Fielding contributions, however, can sometimes be difficult to quantify.
Through the medal initiative, T Dilip attempted to highlight the importance of consistent effort, anticipation, athleticism and teamwork.
He said the players embraced the idea, while fans also supported the initiative.
“At the end of the day, the fielding medal is a team award.”
The concept reflected the broader approach adopted by the Indian team during Dilip’s tenure, with fielding increasingly viewed as an area capable of making a decisive difference in high-pressure matches.
Subhadeep Ghosh Replaces T Dilip
With Dilip’s tenure now over, Subhadeep Ghosh has taken over as the fielding coach of the India men’s cricket team ahead of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, according to Cricinfo.
Ghosh brings considerable coaching experience to the role. He previously worked as the fielding coach of the India women’s team for two years.
During that period, he was part of the support staff for the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup and the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Ghosh has also worked with India A and served as head coach of Assam’s senior men’s team.
His playing background includes domestic cricket for Assam and Railways. A right-handed batter, Ghosh featured in 17 first-class matches and 17 List A games during his playing career.
India Prepare for Sri Lanka Test Series
The transition in the fielding coaching department comes ahead of India’s upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka.
India will begin the series on August 15 in Galle, while the second Test is scheduled to be played from August 23 at the SSC in Colombo.
The series will provide the Indian team with another opportunity to build on its strong cricketing performances while adapting to a new coaching setup.
For T Dilip, however, his legacy with the Indian team will remain closely connected to the fielding culture he helped develop.
From the introduction of the fielding medal to the emphasis on collective responsibility, his approach encouraged players to understand that every contribution matters.
T Dilip’s Lasting Impact on Indian Fielding
The former coach’s recollection of the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph also highlights the emotional side of India’s journey to the title.
After years of near misses and major tournament setbacks, India’s victory in Barbados provided a moment of immense relief and pride.
For T Dilip, the silence before the celebrations began represented the culmination of years of preparation, sacrifice and determination.
His reflections also underline how much India’s fielding standards and culture evolved during his association with the team.
The fielding medal became more than an individual award. It encouraged competition, recognition and teamwork while helping players appreciate contributions that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
As India moves forward with Subhadeep Ghosh as its new fielding coach, the foundation established during Dilip’s tenure could continue to influence the team’s approach.
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