Dilip’s nearly five-year stint as India’s fielding coach came to an end following the team’s recent tour of England. Looking back on his tenure, he highlighted the influence of senior players in developing a strong fielding culture within the squad, with Kohli standing out for his relentless intensity.
“With Virat Kohli, intensity is non-negotiable,” Dilip said in an interview with JioStar.
Kohli’s intensity set the benchmark
During Dilip’s tenure, India introduced the fielding medal to recognise outstanding performances in the field. The initiative helped reinforce the importance of fielding alongside batting and bowling as a key component of the team’s success.
According to Dilip, Kohli consistently maintained an exceptional level of intensity regardless of his position on the field.
“You have seen him in the powerplay, how he is as a batsman, whether at cover or short mid-wicket, with his reflexes and with his dives, is admirable,” Dilip said.
Dilip also praised Kohli for maintaining those standards even late in an innings, when fatigue can become a factor.
“Even in the last series, he was putting in those dives and was sharp, always at you all the time. Even at this juncture of his career, he runs from long-on to long-on at either end during the death overs, and he is the first one to run out of the circle when the field is spread,” he added.
Barbados 2024 remains Dilip’s standout memory
Among the highlights of Dilip’s tenure, India’s T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados on June 29, 2024, remains particularly special.
The tournament showcased the improvements India had made in the field, with Suryakumar Yadav winning the Best Fielder Medal after taking a crucial catch in the final.
Dilip recalled the emotional scenes inside the dressing room after India lifted the trophy, describing the atmosphere as one of his most memorable experiences with the team.
“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,” Dilip said.
For Dilip, the moment represented more than just a major trophy. It reflected the culmination of years of work to establish fielding excellence as an integral part of India’s cricketing identity, with Kohli’s intensity serving as one of the key benchmarks for the team.
