Fielding coach said that the team believed they could do magic in any situation.
Like the iconic picture of MS Dhoni lifting a six to win India the ODI World Cup 2011. An image of Suryakumar Yadav’s catch on the long off boundary which dismissed David Miller off Hardik Pandya. And switched T20 World Cup final in favour of India will be permanently etched into Indian fans’ minds.
Hyderabad’s Fielding Coach, TK Dilip was responsible for India’s electric efforts on the field. He added that fielding intensity played a major role in India’s success at this mega event. On his return from Barbados, where he had accompanied Team India, Dilip spoke to TOI on Friday and was overwhelmed by their reception back home.
Dilip said “It was fantastic over there in Mumbai. It was surreal. The way people turned up yesterday due to the Mumbai crowd. For instance, I could see why cricket is such a popular sport here” when talking about Thursday’s parade in Mumbai.
The coach was pleased with himself that fielding played a key role in winning. As a fielding coach it feels great to have won a world cup through catching and fielding playing its part on such a big stage; “Overall our fielding has been excellent and making those catches under pressure shows how much work goes on behind the scenes,” we were clinical with this.” That we played at different grounds like New York as well as Florida in US, wouldn’t say it was difficult but challenging yes? We kept adapting,” he said.
The most memorable moment of his life is when he won the World Cup. “There is no way I can describe it in words. However, let me say that this feeling was one of my best ever.” Painful as it was coming so close to winning the ODI World Cup. We are delighted for having crossed that line in a T20 World Cup. There was actually only a 3% chance to win at some point. But our 11 on the field and the rest of us believed even when the equation was 30 runs from 30 balls. Even at that time everybody believed we could do magic. This is why we were on the positive side of result.
When asked what has been his favourite catch, he said, “I wouldn’t say favourite but Surya’s catch in the final was very important in terms of where the game was going.” Axar’s catch of (Mitchell) Marsh against Australia changed everything. Not forgetting little moments such as Matthew Wade’s catch at short third by Kuldeep (Yadav). Axar Patel’s one-handed or even (Mohammed) Siraj’s catch at boundary all these played a crucial role. It would be unfair to choose one because each catch had its own significance in that game.
The post-match ceremony everyone looks forward to after every match- Fielding medal ceremony after every match introduced. During last year’s ODI World Cup by Dilip –Dilip Surprised me with introducing fielding medal, When I asked him why did he come up with it? He replied, What inspired me is usually Man-of-the-Match goes to a bowler or batter rarely does a fielder wins this award. In batting as well as bowling fielding holds the same place. If you look at cricket as a whole then you spend 80% on fielding. We must also praise players for accepting this with an open mind. It’s also helped them push boundaries in their games and I am pleased that it has created the right culture we were after.
India’s fielding coach after R Sridhar, another Hyderabadi was Dilip whose contract ended with that of Rahul Dravid and support staff. In his stay with Indian side for a period of two and half years, 44-year-old said: “In my last 2-1/2 years with the team, Virat Kohli, Jadeja and others were still doing what they were doing all these years.” Yes they improve every day. That attitude also rubs on to youngsters.
What comes after a world cup high? “I am still enjoying the world cup success. I don’t want to jump too far ahead but live for this moment now. When something happens, I will take a decision.”
