(BCCI Photo)
The BCCI declared a Rs 125 crore cash prize for the Indian cricket team following their triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. During a press briefing in Barbados, Secretary Jay Shah disclosed that the decision to reward the team stemmed from a collective agreement among the board’s office bearers to commemorate their achievement in breaking the title drought.
“We last won the title in 2007 and won it after nearly 17 years. The decision of the prize money was collectively taken by the BCCI office bearers. We were the No.1 ranked side across formats two months ago. Cricket is treated like a religion in our country and our boys won the tournament which was played by twenty teams, so we need to do something for them,” says Shah.
Shah further clarified that the prize money would be distributed among the entire Indian contingent, encompassing everyone from players to selectors.
“As far as Rs 125 crore is concerned, it will cover the players, support staff, coaches and selectors as well. Everyone,” adds Shah.
Having finally secured an ICC title, the Indian cricket board has already set its sights on the next goals: the World Test Championship and the ICC Champions Trophy.
“The way this team is progressing, our next target is to win WTC final and Champions Trophy,” says Shah.
Following the title win, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja have retired from T20Is while committing to continue representing India in ODIs and Tests. Shah expressed confidence that this experienced squad will perform admirably in the upcoming ICC tournaments.
“The team is going to be more or less same for these two tournaments because players have taken retirement from T20Is only. We will have an experienced team and I am confident we will do well there as well,” says Shah.
Due to a hurricane, the Indian cricket team is currently stranded in Barbados, with the airport closed and all outgoing flights canceled. Secretary Shah is personally overseeing plans for their departure, and the Indian cricket board is arranging a direct charter as soon as airport operations resume.
As reported by CricketNext on Sunday, the team led by Rohit Sharma is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon their return from the Caribbean. Senior board officials are finalizing the details of this meeting. Following the title win, PM Modi congratulated captain Rohit, coach Dravid, and senior batsman Kohli over the phone, acknowledging the team’s achievement in ending their prolonged quest for an ICC title.
