ICC U19 World Cup: Rahul Dravid is not happy with his 'Rs 50 lakh reward', here's why

Minutes after India won their fourth ICC Under-19 World Cup title, BCCI announced cash rewards for head coach Rahul Dravid, players and supports staff. But Dravid, who was universally lauded for his contribution, was not very happy. The reason- the disparity in cash prizes between him, his support staff and the winning squad.

The BCCI has announced awards of Rs 50 lakh for Dravid, Rs 30 lakh for the players and Rs 20 lakh each for the support staff.

According to Indian Express, Dravid was unhappy that he was to receive prize money far greater than the rest of his coaching staff. The head coach has expressed his reservations and has requested that all support staff members be rewarded evenly, the report said quoting sources. 

According to report, Dravid has mentioned that the entire support staff had worked as a team, and had played an equal and united part in ensuring success at the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

Addressing a press conference on returning from New Zealand, after the win on Saturday, Dravid had said he credited the success of the team to the entire support staff which had worked hard behind the scenes. Though he did not express his resentment openly, he had gently pointed out the disparity.

After the world cup win, Dravid had acknowledged the role of support staff. “It’s a bit embarrassing at times because I tend to get a lot of attention and focus, but it is really about the support staff and the quality of people that we’ve had. I don’t want to mention names but everyone in the support staff has put in a great effort. We do the best for the kids.”

In a press release announced by BCCI’s Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators on February 3, the Board had allotted Rs 50 lakh to Dravid, while declaring that the rest of the support staff – Bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, Fielding coach Abhay Sharma, Physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar, Trainer Anand Date, Masseur Mangesh Gaikwad and Video analyst Devraj Raut – would each receive Rs 20 lakh. The playing team members were also to be rewarded Rs 30 lakh each.

Dravid receives Rs 4 crore annually for a 3-year-contract with the Indian junior and A teams.