IND vs BAN: R Ashwin Hails 'Celebrity Fielding Coach' T Dilip Behind Yashasvi Jaiswal's In-field Heroics

Team India’s Ravichandran Ashwin hailed the fielding coach, T Dilip who worked with Yashasvi Jaiswal who played a key role in the dismissal of Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan during the second innings of the first Test that took place in Chennai.

Before Dilip took up the position as Team India’s fielding coach, Ashwin revealed an interesting story where a Google search about the fielding coach returned a result that he was an ‘internet personality’. But Ashwin termed Dilip as an absolute superstar who has lifted the standards of the fielding department.

“If you want to talk about fielding, where should we start? Let’s talk about Dilip sir first. Actually, we’d searched for our fielding coach (in Google) and he turned out to be an internet personality. So unfair,” Ashwin told reporters here on Sunday after the first Test against Bangladesh.

After taking over as the fielding coach from R Sridhar. It is safe to say India’s fielding is certainly in good hands. Under his tenure, one cannot forget the iconic catch taken by Suryakumar Yadav in the deep which turned out to be the key behind India’s second T20 World Cup title.

Among the other positives also include the ‘Fielding Medal’ which is awarded after every game. A concept that has received massive plaudits following the ODI World Cup 2023.

In the Test setup, Dilip is also said to have worked with Jaiswal at the short-leg position and once again it provided a decisive moment where Ashwin got the wicket of the veteran batter, Shakib with Jaiswal taking the catch at the short-leg position.

“He is not an internet personality. He is our celebrity fielding coach. Superstar,” Ashwin added.

The veteran all-rounder highlighted that the team’s fielding had taken a hit with the slip fielders being a liability in the past. But Dilip’s involvement has seen that take a turn for the better.

“Slip catching was a bit of a challenge a year or two ago. But Jaiswal has shown improvement in slip-catching in the last year or two from the series in South Africa. He has made a very good catch here at the second slip as well,” said Ashwin.

Jaiswal once again showcased his prowess on the outfield as he took the catch to get rid of Zakir Hussain on the third day as well. Ashwin sees Jaiswal’s abilities as an in-fielder to add to the side’s options for the position which was usually held by KL Rahul.

“KL Rahul is an amazing fielder in second slip. And he (Jaiswal) was able to replace him in the second slip. So, according to me, they worked very hard,” Ashwin shared.

According to Ashwin, being placed near the batter is not an easy role but Jaiswal has not shied away from taking up the responsibility by doing the work during practice as well.

“The close-in catching, in places like short-leg, is a very difficult thing. You don’t get good fielders like this. Jaiswal himself volunteers and stands up.

“He also does head-to-head work. So, all in all, we didn’t get to see Dilip Sir’s name not getting mentioned more prominently,” said Ashwin.

(With PTI Inputs)