BCCI Announces Rs 7.5 Crore Prize for India's U-19 World Cup Champions
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made a significant announcement on Saturday, declaring a handsome prize money of Rs 7.5 crore for the India under-19 cricket team. This reward comes in recognition of their triumphant victory at the Under-19 World Cup held in Harare, Zimbabwe, which concluded a day earlier.
Record-Breaking Performance Secures Historic Win
In a high-scoring final match, India's U-19 team, led by captain Ayush Mhatre, delivered a spectacular performance to defeat England by a commanding margin of 100 runs. The team posted a record total of 411 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs. England, in response, managed to score 311 runs before being bowled out in 40.2 overs.
The standout performer of the match was 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who played a scintillating innings. Suryavanshi smashed a remarkable 175 runs off just 80 balls, an innings studded with 15 sixes and an equal number of fours. His explosive batting laid the foundation for India's massive total and ultimately their victory.
India's Sixth U-19 World Cup Title
This victory marks India's sixth Under-19 World Cup triumph in the history of the tournament. It is their first title since 2022, when the team was captained by Yash Dhull. The win underscores India's dominance in youth cricket and its robust talent development pipeline.
When India last won the Under-19 World Cup in 2022, each player received Rs 40 lakh as prize money, while members of the support staff were awarded Rs 25 lakh each. Similarly, the Indian women’s Under-19 teams that clinched titles in 2023 and 2025 were rewarded with Rs 5 crore by the BCCI for their achievements.
ICC's Stance on Prize Money for Developmental Tournaments
Despite their remarkable achievement, India's players have not received any prize money from the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC categorizes the Under-19 World Cup as a developmental tournament, primarily aimed at nurturing young talent and preparing them for senior-level cricket, rather than a commercial competition.
As part of this developmental structure, teams already receive funding through the ICC’s various development programs. The governing body of the game does not award separate prize money for finishing positions in the tournament, focusing instead on the long-term growth and exposure of emerging cricketers.
The BCCI's generous reward of Rs 7.5 crore highlights the board's commitment to recognizing and incentivizing excellence at the youth level, ensuring that young players are duly celebrated for their hard work and success on the global stage.
