Archive · 11 Aug 2026
T Dilip Hails Virat Kohli's Non-Negotiable Intensity in Farewell Interview
A coach who helped India's cricket team become great at fielding has finished his job.
The coach's name is T Dilip, and he worked with the Indian team for almost five years.
Winning the T20 World Cup in Barbados in 2024 was his favourite moment because of how happy and proud the players were.
He created a special award called the fielding medal so every player felt they could contribute, not just those taking amazing catches.
He also remembered an extraordinary catch by a player named Suryakumar Yadav in the final match.
He talked about Virat Kohli, a famous player who always gives his best in practice and in real matches.
Kohli runs, dives, and chases every ball, and his energy makes other players work harder too.
Before a big Test series in Sri Lanka, the coach said fielders near the wicketkeeper must stand in the right spots to catch tricky edges of the ball.
Good fielding, he believes, can make a big difference to winning matches.
Former India fielding coach T Dilip's nearly five-year stint ended after the recent tour of England.
Dilip called the dressing-room atmosphere after India's Barbados 2024 World Cup win his best memory of the tenure.
He introduced the fielding medal to reward overall fielding impact rather than just spectacular catches.
Dilip said Virat Kohli's intensity is non-negotiable, citing his dives, reflexes, and influence on teammates.
He stressed fine slip spacing ahead of India's Test tour of Sri Lanka, starting August 15 in Galle.
- Who
- T Dilip, former India fielding coach, speaking about Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and the Indian team's fielding.
- What
- Reflections on his nearly five-year tenure, the fielding medal, and fielding plans ahead of India's Test tour of Sri Lanka.
- When
- After India's recent tour of England ended Dilip's tenure; India's Sri Lanka Tests begin August 15.
- Where
- Barbados, site of the 2024 World Cup final, and India's upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka.
- Why
- To highlight the value of intensity and smart slip fielding placements as India prepares for its Sri Lanka Tests.
- Coach
- T Dilip, former India fielding coach
- Tenure
- Nearly five years, ending after the England tour
- Best moment
- Barbados 2024 World Cup win, dressing-room atmosphere
- Fielding medal
- Introduced to reward overall fielding impact, not just spectacular catches
- Player praised
- Virat Kohli - 'intensity is non-negotiable'
- Key catch
- Suryakumar Yadav, last over of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Final
- Upcoming tour
- India's Test tour of Sri Lanka, first Test August 15 in Galle, second from August 23 in Colombo
- Interview platform
- JioStar