BCCI announces monetary rewards for selectors

What's the story?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed cash rewards for the five-man All-India Senior Selection Committee members, following the national side's historic win against the mighty Aussies on Australian soil. The governing body announced that each of the five members will get a bonus of ₹20 lakhs.

In case you didn't know...

After a wait of 71 years, the Indian team, under the stewardship of Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli registered their first-ever Test series win in Australia. They followed that up by coming from 1-0 down to lift their maiden bilateral ODI series trophy down under, by a 2-1 margin.

For the same, bonus cash rewards of ₹15 lakh and ₹7.5 lakh were announced for the members of the playing XI and the reserves respectively. ₹25 lakhs was granted to the coaching staff as well.

The heart of the matter

The credit has now rightfully been given to the selectors, who have consistently been looking at every player's progress, strengths, weaknesses and roles with paramount detail.

Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai, while making the proclamation, said:

“We are extremely proud of the way Team India have performed in Australia. We had announced cash rewards for cricketers and support staff earlier and are now rewarding selectors.”

He continued:

“The five men have played a crucial role in picking a balanced Indian squad and offering the team management enough options to work around different combinations. The boys chosen to represent the Indian team went about their task in a fearless manner and stood up in challenging situations.”

Fellow member, Diana Edulji, affirmed:

“Each member who has played a role in India’s recent triumphs in Australia needs to be appreciated. With the ICC Cricket World Cup just about four months away, the three-match ODI series in Australia provided excellent preparation for the Indian team."

He added:

"The selectors have been focusing on a core group of cricketers that will make the cut at the showpiece event. I congratulate them for picking some fine young talents, who performed brilliantly on their maiden tour of Australia.”

What's next?

For the next few months, the selection panel's biggest task is to choose the squad that will travel to England.

Owing to their supremacy under Virat Kohli, the Men in Blue are favourites alongside host nation England to win the premier cricketing event. Therefore, the margin for error is bound to decrease as far as the selection committee's work is concerned.

Meanwhile, India will look to continue their remarkable run in the international arena when they travel to Napier for the first of five ODI matches on 23 January. The 5 one-dayers will be followed by three T20Is.