In the wake of India’s triumphant Champions Trophy campaign, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has sparked a debate about the distribution of the tournament’s prize money. Gavaskar, in his column for Sportstar, expressed curiosity over whether the current coach, Gautam Gambhir, would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Rahul Dravid, who opted to share the prize money equally among the coaching staff after the ICC T20 World Cup win.
Following India’s victory in the Champions Trophy under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, the BCCI announced a substantial reward of Rs 58 crore for the winning squad, including the players, coaching staff, support staff, and the men’s selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar. This significant amount highlights the BCCI’s appreciation for the team’s efforts and their commitment to rewarding them generously.
Gavaskar recalled Dravid’s commendable action post the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup victory, where the BCCI had announced Rs 125 crore for the squad. Dravid, known for his team spirit, chose to divide the coach’s share evenly among his colleagues. ‘After the ICC T20 World Cup win and the Board announcement of prize money, the then-coach Rahul Dravid, ever the team man, refused to accept more than his fellow members of the coaching staff and shared it equally with his colleagues,’ Gavaskar noted.
Turning his attention to the present, Gavaskar pointed out that it has been two weeks since the announcement of the Champions Trophy rewards, and yet, there has been no word from Gambhir on his stance regarding the distribution of the prize money. ‘It’s been a fortnight since the BCCI announced the Champions Trophy rewards, but we haven’t heard anything from the current coach on whether he will also do a Dravid. Or is it that Dravid, in this instance, is not a good role model?’ Gavaskar questioned.
The specifics of how the Rs 58 crore will be allocated among the players, coaching staff, support staff, and the selection committee remain undisclosed. However, the BCCI’s decision to allow the players to retain the prize money announced by the ICC for the winners further underscores their commitment to rewarding the team’s success.
Gavaskar’s inquiry not only highlights the importance of equitable distribution of rewards but also sets the stage for a broader discussion on leadership and fairness within the cricketing community. As the cricket world awaits Gambhir’s decision, the legacy of Dravid’s gesture continues to resonate, prompting reflection on the values that define the spirit of the game.