
Wed Sep 25 06:53:39 UTC 2024: ## India’s ‘Internet Personality’ Fielding Coach Gets His Due Recognition
Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s star spinner, has highlighted the contributions of the Indian team’s unsung fielding coach, T Dilip, who has significantly improved India’s fielding standards, particularly slip catching.
During a press conference following India’s win against Bangladesh in the first Test, Ashwin revealed a humorous anecdote about Dilip. A Google search of the coach’s name strangely returned his profile as an “internet personality,” leading Ashwin to humorously declare, “He is not an internet personality. He is our celebrity fielding coach. Superstar.”
Dilip, who replaced R Sridhar as India’s fielding coach under Rahul Dravid, has continued in his role even under Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy. His innovative drills and positive feedback from the team members have led to a significant improvement in India’s fielding performance.
Dilip’s influence is also seen in the now popular “Best Fielder” medal awarded after every match, presented in a short ceremony inside the dressing room.
Dilip himself recently addressed the “internet personality” incident in a BCCI video, jokingly adding that he wasn’t sure about being a “celebrity.” The incident has now been corrected on Google, showcasing the positive impact of Dilip’s coaching on the Indian team.