In Mumbai, Rahul Dravid once again demonstrated his commitment to fairness by refusing an additional ₹2.5 crore bonus offered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This decision aligns with his principle of receiving the same prize money as his support staff, which includes bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, fielding coach T Dilip, and batting coach Vikram Rathore.
According to sources within the BCCI, Dravid insisted on equality, opting to receive ₹5 crore along with the 15 playing members of India’s T20 World Cup winning squad, rather than the higher amount originally allocated to him. The support staff, under this distribution formula, receive ₹2.5 crore each, while selectors and other travelling squad members are awarded ₹1 crore each.
This isn’t the first time Dravid has taken such a stance. During his tenure as head coach of India’s U-19 World Cup winning team in 2018, he advocated for equal recognition among coaching staff and players, rejecting a hierarchical distribution of awards proposed by the BCCI.
Recognized for his consistency in team selection and leadership, Dravid’s decision resonated well with the players. Despite his illustrious playing career, where he missed out on winning a World Cup, Dravid finally achieved this milestone as head coach of India’s T20 World Cup champions. His contribution was celebrated widely, with captain Rohit Sharma and senior player Virat Kohli expressing gratitude for Dravid’s impactful coaching.
In a tribute to Dravid, Rohit Sharma highlighted his humility and effective leadership, emphasizing how Dravid’s approach as a coach fostered an environment where players felt comfortable and supported.
