JOHANNESBURG: There was windfall for the Indian cricket team after they lifted the inaugural Twenty20 cricket World Cup beating arch-rivals Pakistan in the finals here on Monday.
BCCI President Sharad Pawar, who was present on the occasion, declared an award of USD 2 million after Mahendra Singh Dhoni's boys clinched the nail-biting encounter by five runs in front of a boisterous, tricolour waving crowd.
Another Rs one crore prize money was announced for batting mainstay Yuvraj Singh for becoming the first batsman to hit six sixes in an over in the shorter version of the game.
Yuvraj, who had been firing on all cylinders in the tournament, brought the record by whacking Stuart Broad in the Super Eight match against England.
Besides, the tournament prize money of USD 4,90000 they got a further 2 million for the team to swell their purses.
Plaudits and accolades apart, it's money raining on Indian cricketers for their glorious Twenty20 World Cup triumph.
Many state governments have made 'rich' promises to 'honour' cricketers, who were part of last night's unforgettable victory, hailing from their respective states.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh announced a cash incentive of Rs 10 lakh each for Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma, both hailing from Mumbai, for playing a part in India's success.
"Maharashtra is proud of the performance of our boys. They have brought laurels to the state," he said.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced a cash reward of Rs 21 lakh for Joginder Sharma, who would cherish for long his short but very effective bowling spells in the tournament.
"Sharma took the crucial wicket of (Misbah-ul) Haq at such a time when the match could have twisted in favour of Pakistan. But Sharma has created history and done the state and the nation proud," Hooda said in a statement.
Cash award for Sreesanth
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala government on Tuesday announced a cash award of Rs five Lakh to paceman S Sreesanth, who was part of Team India, which won the Twenty20 World Cup on Monday.
An official press release here said Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan rang up Sreesanth to congratulate him.
