India U-19 cricket team shaped an extraordinary performance in the final of ICC U-19 World Cup against Australia. Prithvi Shaw-led Boys in Blue created history by winning a record fourth title, beating Australia by eight wickets in the World Cup finals in New Zealand. A special achievement by Indian team is it is unbeaten throughout the tournament.
It was a record-breaking 4th U-19 World Cup title that India have won so far in the history. The BCCI, Coach Rahul Dravid were overwhelmed with the players and their outstanding performance throughout the tournament.
Minutes after team India defeated Australia in the ICC Under 19 World Cup final 2018, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a reward of Rs 50 lakh for coach Rahul Dravid and each member of the team. All the other members of the support staff will get Rs 20 lakh each by the board.
BCCI announces prize money for victorious India U19 team.
Mr Rahul Dravid, Head Coach India U19 – INR 50 lakhs
Members of India U19 team – INR 30 lakhs each
Members of the Support Staff, India U19 – INR 20 lakhs each
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 3, 2018
“I congratulate the U19 team who have made the country proud. Head Coach Rahul Dravid played his cricket with sincerity and it was pleasing to see the boys uphold the value. They have been fantastic athletes and even better ambassadors. The boys have done so well, and I am sure they will work hard and climb the ladder and represent the senior team in the future,” said the head of COA, Vinod Rai, in a media release issued by BCCI.
But, India U-19 Rahul Dravid questioned the inequality in cash prizes between him, the support staff and members of the team after returning home from New Zealand. In his words, Dravid asked BCCI: ‘Why the disparity in cash prizes between him, his support staff and the winning squad?’
The coaching staff for the tournament included bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, fielding coach Abhay Sharma, Physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar, Trainer Anand Date, Masseur Mangesh Gaikwad and video analyst Devraj Raut who would get Rs 20 lakh each. However, the former Indian captain wasn’t happy with the fact and while addressing a press conference, expressed his views and requested that all the support staff members be rewarded equally.
Soon after India’s win, Dravid had credited the success of the team to the entire support staff that worked so hard behind the scenes. “It’s a bit embarrassing at times because I tend to get a lot of attention and focus, but it is really about the support staff and the quality of people that we’ve had. I don’t want to mention names but everyone in the support staff has put in a great effort. We do the best for the kids,” he had said.
Recently, Rahul Dravid received Rs 2.43 crore as professional fees from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the six-month period ended December 31, 2017. Paras Mhambrey, the bowing coach of the triumphant colts team, had received Rs 27 lakh as professional fees from the BCCI for the four-month period between August and November last, as per the details of the payments done by the BCCI.
The BCCI had also paid cricketer-turned commentators Sanjay Manjrekar and Murali Karthik Rs 36.28 lakh and Rs 30.61 lakh as professional fees for the last home series between India and Sri Lanka.