/ 15 March 2003

India’s cricket board dangles the carrot

India’s cricket team will earn a cash bonanza of 75 million rupees ($ 1,5 million) if they win the World Cup being played in South Africa, cricket authorities said on Friday.

The 15-member squad, through to the semifinals with wins against Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka, already has 18 million rupees ($375 000) in the kitty, said Kishor Rungta, treasurer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

”Each team member is already richer by 1,25 million rupees ($26 000) and another 1,25 million rupees ($26 000) will be added if they reach the final,” Rungta said.

India will take on Kenya in the semifinals next week.

Every player will get nearly 5 million rupees ($104 000) from the cricket board if the team wins the title — a total of 75 million rupees for the squad.

India’s cricket board is one of the richest among the cricket-playing nations because of the huge following the game enjoys here.

The cricketers also earn huge money through endorsements on television. – Sapa-AP