Gautam Gambhir Agrees to Rohit Sharma's Request, T Dilip Returns as India's Fielding Coach

In a major development ahead of the high-stakes five-Test series against England, T Dilip has officially rejoined the Indian cricket team as fielding coach for another year — and the credit goes to Rohit Sharma.

Rohit Sharma Personally Backed T Dilip

According to a Cricbuzz report, India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma personally reached out to both the BCCI and head coach Gautam Gambhir to push for T Dilip’s return. Rohit reportedly insisted on reinstating Dilip, especially with a crucial home Test series on the horizon. His recommendation played a decisive role in Dilip being brought back on board.

Gambhir Gives the Green Light

Gautam Gambhir, who recently took over as head coach, agreed to Rohit’s suggestion. With no suitable replacement in sight, the BCCI has officially reappointed Dilip as the team’s fielding coach for one more year.

T Dilip’s Track Record with Team India

• First joined Team India in 2021.

• Played a pivotal role in enhancing the team’s fielding culture.

• Introduced the popular Best Fielder Award inside the dressing room, boosting competitiveness and motivation.

• Known for being a players’ favorite and a silent but effective contributor behind the scenes.

Why His Return Matters

Fielding will be a critical component in the upcoming England series, especially in slip, gully, and close-in catching positions. With T Dilip’s guidance, the Indian squad is expected to be sharper in the field — a key factor on spin-friendly pitches where even half-chances can define matches.

Context

T Dilip had been removed in April 2025 along with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, but no suitable replacement was found. With Rohit advocating for continuity and familiarity before possibly playing his last Test series, the BCCI chose to stick with proven experience.