Online Reporter
INDIA’S all-conquering men’s cricket team will pocket US$14 million after lifting the T20 World Cup for a record third time, the country’s cricket board said on Tuesday.
The co-hosts and pre-tournament favourites swept aside New Zealand by 96 runs in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad to become the first team to retain the trophy and the first to win it on home soil.
Cricket commands an unrivalled following in the world’s most populous country, with top players enjoying star status and the game serving as a rare unifying force in an otherwise diverse nation.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India, the world’s richest and most powerful cricket body, praised the players, support staff and selectors for the “historic achievement” as it announced the cash reward.
The victory cemented India’s place “among the most successful teams in the history of the format”, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement. The prize money will be shared among the entire team, including coaches and support staff.
The Indian team will separately receive US$2.34 million from the International Cricket Council while runners-up New Zealand will earn US$1.17 million.
Midnight celebrations broke out across the country on Sunday as delirious fans in blue Indian shirts took to the streets, beating drums and dancing to Bollywood hits.
ICC reject bias allegations
Meanwhile Cricket’s governing body yesterday rejected suggestions of unequal treatment after the West Indies and South Africa squads were stranded in India for more than a week following the men’s T20 World Cup.
Airlines have cancelled or re-routed flights because of the war in the Middle East, throwing international travel into chaos.
Cricket West Indies said on Tuesday their squad had waited nine days for a charter flight that was “repeatedly delayed”, calling the uncertainty “increasingly distressing”. Former England captain Michael Vaughan also criticised the situation, noting on social media that England departed 36 hours after their semi-final exit last week while the West Indies and South Africa remained in Kolkata more than a week after being knocked out of the tournament. — AFP Sport.
