Rahul Dravid, the outgoing head coach of the Indian cricket team, refused an additional Rs 2.5 crore bonus following India’s T20 World Cup triumph.
Dravid, known for his integrity and team-first approach, opted to ensure that the entire support staff received equal rewards for their contributions to the historic victory.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had announced a total prize pool of Rs 125 crore for the victorious Indian team. This amount was to be distributed among the players and the support staff. Initially, Dravid, along with the 15 squad members, was set to receive Rs 5 crore each, while the rest of the support staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T. Dilip, were allocated Rs 2.5 crore each.
However, sources revealed to India Today that Dravid requested the board to reduce his bonus to Rs 2.5 crore, aligning his reward with that of his support staff. This selfless gesture was aimed at recognizing the collective effort that led to India’s World Cup victory.
The distribution of the prize money was overseen by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and President Roger Binny, who handed over the awards during a grand victory parade in Mumbai on July 4th.
Captain Rohit Sharma praised Dravid’s decision and highlighted his pivotal role in the team’s recent successes. Under Dravid’s guidance, the team not only clinched the T20 World Cup but also secured the Asia Cup in 2023 and reached the finals in both the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship 2021-23.
"We thank Mr. Rahul Dravid and his team of support staff for their service and stellar effort in their tenure with Team India. The team enjoyed remarkable success across formats, and being crowned champions at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is a moment that the nation will cherish for a long time," Jay Shah stated.
In a significant development, the BCCI announced the appointment of former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the senior men’s team. Gambhir, who has been given a three-and-a-half-year contract, is expected to bring in Abhishek Nayar as his assistant coach, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Indian cricket.
