Rahul Dravid rejects additional prize money from BCCI; requests for same pay as the rest of the coaching staff - Reports
Team India's former head coach Rahul Dravid ended his reign on a high, as Rohit Sharma and company lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup on June 29. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to reward their efforts with a bumper INR 125 crore cash prize, where the members of the main squad and Dravid were allotted INR 5 crore each.
According to the reported breakdown, the remainder of the core coaching staff, which includes batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip, were all poised to get INR 2.5 crore each.
However, Rahul Dravid has reportedly requested the BCCI to award him the same amount as the rest of the coaching staff.
“Rahul wanted the same bonus money (₹2.5 crore) as the rest of his support staff (bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, fielding coach T Dilip, and batting coach Vikram Rathore). We respect his sentiments,” a BCCI source told the Hindustan Times.
The other members of the support staff include the throwdown specialists, strength and conditioning coach, and physiotherapists. All of them will be awarded INR 2 crore each.
Rahul Dravid showcased a similar gesture after Team India's triumph in the 2018 U-19 World Cup
Prior to his stint as the national senior team head coach, Dravid had an impactful spell as U-19 coach. The Prithvi Shaw-led side won the 2018 World Cup in New Zealand, leading to the BCCI announcing a reward of INR 50 Lakh for Dravid, INR 20 Lakh for the remaining members of the coaching staff, and INR 20 Lakh for the players.
However, Dravid refused to abide by BCCI's proposed breakdown model and asked for uniformity. Eventually, all members of the coaching staff, including Dravid were awarded INR 25 Lakh each.
Dravid's senior tenure had originally come to an end after the 2023 ODI World Cup, but he signed a six-month extension to see out Team India's campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The BCCI has already finalized a replacement, with former cricketer Gautam Gambhir set to be in charge of the side from the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka onwards.