Dishant Yagnik doesn’t just coach fielders; he extracts the best out of them.
After a historic Ranji Trophy triumph with Jammu & Kashmir — a vision he famously prophesied nine months ago — Yagnik has brought his high-octane, unconventional coaching philosophy to his new franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League.
Whether it is by turning specialist batters into wicketkeepers or using complex math puzzles to sharpen reflexes under pressure, Yagnik is on a mission to redefine the fielding landscape. In this exclusive interaction with The Hindu, he discusses the science behind fielding, the pain of leaving “home”, and his ultimate ambition: to turn India into the world’s most formidable fielding unit. Excerpts
Nine months ago, you said with total confidence that J & K would win the Ranji Trophy. It actually happened. How do you look back at that journey?
It felt absolutely great, and if I’m honest, it was an overwhelming experience. When I joined the J & K set-up, the first thing I noticed during the net sessions was the raw talent. I’ve seen a lot of cricketers, but this group was among the most gifted I’ve ever worked with.
When we started, we had significant challenges. But we had a great coaching unit — Ajay Sharma sir and Krishna Kumar sir — and our philosophy was simple: let the players express themselves. You can’t come in and start changing everything on day one. We waited, observed, and then started making micro adjustments to their techniques.
In terms of fielding, I essentially overhauled the culture. Historically, fielding has been viewed as a ‘third skill’ — something you do after batting and bowling. I made them realise that fielding is the winning pillar of the team. Winning the Ranji Trophy as a coach is something I can’t quite describe — it’s special. I won it as a player in 2011–12, but seeing our vision come to life was even more special.
You spent a lot of time with Rajasthan Royals. This season, you are with KKR. How has the transition been?
I spent nearly 15 years with the Royals — five as a player and nine as a coach. I felt like I was part of the foundation of that franchise. So, when I found out I wouldn’t be part of the team for this year, it was a shocker. It hits you personally when you’ve given that much time to one place. But the professional world is a mirror of the game itself — you have to accept and move on.
KKR welcomed me with open arms. The transition was made easier by the vision of Abhishek Nayar (head coach). In our very first conversation, he didn’t just give me a job; he gave me a massive challenge. He asked, “Angkrish Raghuvanshi is a talented batter and fielder, but can you make him a wicketkeeper?” That was the hook. I’ve always believed that with the right drills and mindset, I can turn any athletic fielder into a ’keeper. We started that work in late June last year.
It was a fascinating project because Angkrish is 6 feet 2 inches tall. Usually, ’keepers are shorter for a lower center of gravity, but he had the quick reflexes and judgment. Fielding and keeping are almost different sports in terms of the micro skills involved. We did a lot of one-on-one sessions through July and August, tracking everything on WhatsApp — the drills, technical nuances and footwork. Seeing him now operate as a keeper-batter for KKR is the result of that relentless improvement.
Does the environment at KKR offer you more creative freedom compared to your previous stints?
To be very honest, I’ve found a lot more freedom here. There’s a certain “freedom of speech” that Abhishek and the management have provided. In many set-ups, if you are the fielding coach, you tend to stay in your lane and avoid giving inputs on batting or bowling. But here, I feel empowered to express my suggestions on anything — strategy, technical batting aspects, or preview-review meetings. My advice is heard. That level of trust makes a coach want to give 200%.
Your training sessions are interesting. I recently watched you conduct a drill where players wore helmets and tried to catch tennis balls that were getting deflected at high speeds. How do you keep such a traditionally ‘dry’ subject like fielding so engaging?
I draw a lot from my playing days. I remember how fielding practice could sometimes feel like a chore — casual, low pressure, and frankly, a bit boring. I promised myself that if I became a coach, every drill I design would have consequence. There has to be the pressure of dropping a catch or missing a direct hit in front of the whole group.
I’m a big believer in ‘dual task training’. The idea is to keep the mind occupied with one task while the body performs another. The helmet drill is the perfect example.
It’s built on teamwork. I hit the tennis ball, it hits the leader’s helmet, and because of the oval shape, it deviates in a random direction. I then tell players they have to catch it with their non-dominant hand. Why? Because using your dominant hand is easy; it’s instinct. Forcing them to use the other hand changes the whole complexion of the drill and forces the brain to work harder.
These sessions create incredible energy in the camp. If you’re struggling to win games, a high-intensity, fun but competitive drill like this can lighten the mood while keeping the competitive edge. My colleague Siddhi and I spend hours visualizing these scenarios before we introduce them to the players.
What is the core philosophy you’re trying to implement?
One of the biggest insights I’ve gained is why kids from small, tier-two city academies struggle when they reach professional grounds. In an academy spanning 5,000 square feet, you are never challenged by space. You train in the nets, you take catches in a 20-yard radius, and you feel comfortable.
It’s similar to a swimmer, who has spent his whole life in a pool, suddenly being thrown into the sea. They panic because the range is different. Likewise, in the professional world, the challenge is different: how do you get a senior player and a junior player to share the same energy? Seniors often prioritise batting and bowling, which is fair, but to create a fielding culture, everyone must be equally invested. That’s why I design drills where there are tangible rewards and punishments. It levels the playing field.
You’ve worked with the biggest stars in the game, but what is the ultimate dream for Yagnik?
My dream, as a player, was to play for India. When that chapter closed, my dream shifted: I want to coach the Indian national team. But it’s not just about the job title; I want to set a high standard and a specific fielding culture in India.
I want to reach a point where every player is in the same elite category. It’s a commitment I’ve made to myself. I don’t know whether I should say this or not, I feel I am almost there. I see it in my visualisations. I truly believe that with a couple more pushes, I will get the chance to serve Indian cricket in the fielding department. I want to build a team where nobody can be hidden on the field.
Speaking of “hiding” players, people see certain cricketers as less athletic. How do you work with someone like Varun Chakaravarthy, who might not have the natural flexibility like Raghuvanshi?
I never compare two fielders, but I design drills specifically for the individual. With Varun, I make sure every session matches the match pace — the angles he actually covers, and the trajectory of the ball he is likely to face.
Varun has been incredible. You saw that catch he took at Eden Gardens (against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 2) — that didn’t happen by accident. What I look for is commitment and energy. If a player gives me 100 out of 100 in energy, I can work with him. Varun pushes himself every single session. If you rated him a 6/10 at the start of the season, his work over the last three weeks has pushed him to an 8/10.
In T20 cricket today, every spot is a hot spot. With innovative batting, the ball goes everywhere. You can’t hide anyone. My job is to make them perfect fielders so the captain doesn’t have to worry. We have fielding captains who take ownership of the hot spots during the game, but the accountability starts with me. I need to understand the conditions — whether it’s the humidity of Chennai or the thin air in Dharamshala — and share that knowledge with the players before the game, not after.
How has it been working with the KKR management and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan so far?
The welcome I received was unbelievable. Venky Mysore is a gem; he’s more like a big brother than a CEO. We chat in the lobbies, in restaurants — it’s very casual and he’s supportive.
As for Shah Rukh sir, I met him briefly during my RR days, but this time, we had an hour-and-a-half team get-together. If he wasn’t an actor, he would have been the world’s greatest motivational speaker. The way he mesmerises a room is magical. He speaks from the heart, and he means every word. I went into that meeting with a list of things I wanted to ask him, but by the time he finished speaking, I had all my answers. His presence alone is a massive boost for the coaches and players.
You have a habit of making bold predictions. In 2024, when you were at RR, you said, “We don’t buy superstars, we create them.” In 2025, you predicted the Ranji win. What is the message for 2026?
My manifestation is both on a personal and professional level. I want to become the No. 1 fielding coach in the world. I have a checklist of things I need to improve on — technical skills, hitting intensity, psychological drills — and I’m ticking those boxes every day.
But more importantly, I want to serve India. I want to make India the best fielding team in the world. Right now, when people talk about elite fielding, they think of South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand. But my dream for 2026 and beyond is that whenever the word ‘fielding’ is mentioned, the first thing anyone says should be ‘India’. That is my commitment. That is the culture I want to build.
