Team India’s off-spinner R Ashwin lauded fielding coach T Dilip for improving India’s close-in fielding, especially slip catching. Dilip, who worked with Rahul Dravid, was given a new contract under Gautam Gambhir-led support staff.

R Ashwin spoke to journalists after India’s 280-run win over Bangladesh in Chennai and highlighted T Dilip’s role in improving Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan’s fielding. Ashwin said the young players are working hard with the fielding coach and it is reflected in the way they took catches in the close-in region in the Chennai Test.

“Dilip sir is our celebrity fielding coach and a superstar,” R Ashwin said.

Dilip was retained after taking feedback from the players. He is behind the much-talked-about ‘fielding medal’.

Yashasvi Jaiswal took a sensational catch of Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan in the gully region. R Ashwin was the bowlers and he praised the young cricketer.

“Slip catching was a challenge for us but Jaiswal has become a good fielder in the region. He took a very good catch in the second slip in Chennai.

“KL Rahul has been outstanding in second slip. Jaiswal replaced him and this is a big plus for us.

“It is not easy to take catches at short-leg. Dilip sir deserves credit,” he added.

India will play nine more Tests in the next four months.