Despite narrowly missing out on a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final, India is set to receive a substantial financial reward for their performance in the 2023-25 cycle. The Men in Blue will earn INR 12.33 crore (USD 1.44 million), a sum that's generating buzz and discussion among cricket enthusiasts.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) significantly increased the prize money for the WTC 2023-25 cycle, with a total prize pool of USD 5.76 million ( ₹49.27 crore). This represents a substantial rise compared to previous cycles, underscoring the ICC's commitment to Test cricket. The winner of the final between Australia and South Africa will take home USD 3.6 million, while the runner-up will receive USD 2.16 million.
India's impressive earnings, despite finishing third, are due to this increase in the overall prize pool. In fact, the amount India will receive is almost double what they earned in the previous two WTC cycles (2019-21 and 2021-23) where they finished as runner-up. In those previous cycles, India took home $800,000 each time after losing the final to New Zealand and Australia respectively.
Several factors contributed to India's third-place finish in the WTC 2023-25 cycle. While they had some memorable wins against teams like England, West Indies and Bangladesh, they suffered a 3-1 series defeat against Australia.
The ICC's decision to substantially increase the prize money for the WTC is a clear indication of its focus on promoting and sustaining Test cricket. The significant financial boost aims to keep the format competitive and appealing to both players and fans globally.
Here's a breakdown of the prize money distribution for the WTC 2023-25 cycle:
The fact that India is earning nearly as much as previous WTC winners, despite not reaching the final this time, highlights the financial strength of Indian cricket. The BCCI's revenues from the IPL, broadcast rights, and sponsorships ensure that Indian players are among the best-paid cricketers globally. This ICC prize money further strengthens the financial foundation of Indian cricket, proving that consistent performance is rewarded, even without winning the ultimate title.
As Australia and South Africa prepare to battle it out in the WTC final at Lord's, the Indian team can take pride in their performance and the substantial reward they have earned for their efforts in the 2023-25 cycle.
