World Cup-Winning Coach Rahul Dravid Turns Down Extra Bonus, Wants Same As Other Team Members

The outgoing head coach of the Indian Men’s cricket team, Rahul Dravid, has turned down an additional Rs 2.5 crore bonus offered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for guiding the team to its second T20 World Cup victory.

Reports indicate that Dravid opted to accept the same Rs 2.5 crore bonus as his support staff, emphasising equality.

Initially, BCCI decided to award the World Cup-winning coach a bonus of Rs 5 crore, matching the amount given to the squad players.

However, Dravid requested that his bonus be reduced to align with the Rs 2.5 crore given to other support staff members, including bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, fielding coach T. Dilip, and batting coach Vikram Rathore.

Meanwhile, media reports suggest that BCCI has shown respect to Dravid’s decision.

It may be mentioned here that under the BCCI’s original plan, Rs 5 crore was earmarked for each of the 15 playing members of India’s victorious squad, with a similar amount allocated to Dravid from the Rs 125 crore prize purse. Support staff were slated to receive Rs 2.5 crore each, while selectors and other travelling members of the squad were to receive Rs 1 crore each.

This isn’t the first time Dravid has advocated for equal distribution of rewards.

In 2018, when coaching India’s U-19 World Cup-winning team, he similarly declined a higher bonus—initially offered Rs 50 lakh while the support staff received Rs 20 lakh each and players Rs 30 lakh each. Dravid insisted on equal distribution, resulting in a revised payout where all coaching staff, including himself, received Rs 25 lakh each.

Dravid’s actions underscore his steadfast commitment to equality and team unity, marking his coaching tenure with a benchmark of integrity and leadership in Indian cricket.

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