Even before the news of former India head coach Rahul Dravid letting go of half the chunk (from his cut) from the allotted prize money by the BCCI broke out, India captain Rohit Sharma offered to take a pay cut, ensuring each of the backroom staff gets equal share for contributing to Team India’s triumph at 2024 T20 World Cup in the Americas.
The BCCI announced a whopping $15m (INR 125 crore) prize money for the Men in Blue, with the head coach and final 15 squad members slated to get nearly $600,000 each. However, the remaining members from the coaching staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour, fielding coach T Dilip and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, were allotted half of it – $300,000 (INR 2.5 crore).
Dravid, being Dravid here, urged the BCCI to take a pay cut from his chunk, saying all members of the coaching staff played an equal role in helping Team India win its second T20 World Cup. With the Indian board accepting Dravid’s ask, he won a million hearts with this gesture all over again.
Rohit’s gesture wins hearts
The India captain Rohit Sharma also had a role to play in deciding the chunk allocated for the backroom staff, including three physiotherapists, three throwdown specialists, two masseurs and the strength and conditioning coach, all of who were said to be receiving a considerably low amount earlier.
Per a report in the Dainik Jagran, one of the team members during the chartered flight from Barbados to New Delhi, which also included media personnel, informed the source that Rohit also offered to take a pay cut from his chunk, ensuring even the backroom staff gets equal share like others.
Following that, the BCCI revised the allocation for each participating member, leading to the backroom staff pocketing USD 240,000 (INR 2 crore) each.
Besides, the Indian Cricket Board rewarded the four travelling reserves – Khaleel Ahmed, Rinku Singh, Avesh Khan and Shubman Gill with USD 120,000 (INR 1 crore) each. The team of video analysts, BCCI staff members, media officers, and the logistics manager also bagged a chunk of the prize money.
The reports also suggested that BCCI rewarded the selection committee, including the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, with USD 120,000 (INR 1 crore) each.
Meanwhile, Rohit, alongside the duo of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, announced their T20I retirements shortly after Team India’s triumph in Barbados.
The Men in Blue beat South Africa by seven runs to lift the 2024 T20 WC.
(With inputs from agencies)