Sri Lankan throw-down specialist awarded ₹2 crore by BCCI to India’s T20 victory

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly decided to award ₹125 crore as prize money for the Indian T20 World Cup players, coaches, and staff, which includes Sri Lankan throw-down specialist coach Nuwan Seneviratne.

Reportedly, the BCCI has allocated a staggering ₹125 crore (approximately SL Rs. 4.5 billion) to the team coached by Rahul Dravid, in recognition of their first ICC Trophy success in 11 years and their maiden T20 global title since 2007.

Nuwan Seneviratne, a key member of India’s men’s cricket team, has been awarded a cash prize of SL Rs. 72.8 million (approximately ₹2 crore).

Of the Rs 125 crore, Rs 5 crore each will go to the 15 players, including three who didn’t get to play a game. Head coach Rahul Dravid along with rest of the core coaching group — batting coach Vikram Rathour, fielding coach T Dilip, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey will receive Rs 2.5 crore each; and Rs 1 crore each to the five members of the senior selection committee, including chairman Ajit Agarkar, The Indian Express has learnt.

The rest of the backroom staff were rewarded. The three physiotherapists, three throwdown specialists, two masseurs and the strength and conditioning coach received Rs 2 crore each.

The four reserve players — batsmen Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill, fast bowlers Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed — will also be richer by Rs 1 crore. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal were in the squad but didn’t play a game. They will get Rs 5 crore each.

The Indian contingent that travelled to the World Cup had a total of 42 people. The team’s video analyst, BCCI staff members who were travelling with the team including media officers, and the team’s logistics manager will also be rewarded, it is learnt.

“Players and support staff have been informed about the amount of prize money they will be receiving from the BCCI and we have asked everyone to submit an invoice,” a BCCI source said.

A day after the Rohit Sharma-captained team lifted the T20 World Cup, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had announced the prize money. “As far as Rs 125 crore is concerned, it will cover the players, support staff, coaches and selectors as well. Everyone,” he had said.

The three physiotherapists are Kamlesh Jain, Yogesh Parmar and Thulasi Ram Yuvraj; the three throwdown specialists are Raghavindraa Dvgi, Nuwan Udeneke and Dayanand Garani, and the two masseurs are Rajeev Kumar and Arun Kanade. Soham Desai is the strength and conditioning coach.

In addition, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also announced a cash reward of Rs 11 crore for the team.

In 2013, when India won the Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the BCCI had announced a prize money of Rs 1 crore for each player, while the support staff was paid Rs 30 lakh each. In 2011, when India clinched the 50-over World Cup in Mumbai, also when Dhoni was captain, the prize money was initially declared as Rs 1 crore each for the players but was revised to Rs 2 crore. The support staff were paid Rs 50 lakh, while selectors were given Rs 25 lakh. In 2007, when Dhoni’s side won the inaugural T20 World Cup, the team received a total of Rs 12 crore.

When India clinched their maiden World Cup title in 1983, the BCCI didn’t have enough money to reward its players. The Board approached the late Lata Mangeshkar, who agreed to hold a concert to raise funds for the victorious cricketers. (indianexpress)