Indian team in line for bonus

The Indian team is in line to reap the financial rewards for their splendid performance in Australia. According to a report in the Times of India, each member of the squad is expected to receive a bonus in the range of Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000 (approx US$ 4255 to US$ 10,640) from the Indian board.

Confirming the news, a senior board official told the daily: "They have exceeded all our expectations. As a recognition to that, the idea to reward the team with performance bonus was mooted at a meeting in Kolkata after they won the Adelaide Test. Had they won the final Test in Sydney and thereby the series, we would have announced the bonus then itself. Now, we do not want to jump the gun and are waiting for the triangular series to get over. Even if they lose the finals [of the VB Series], performance bonus will still be given."

The players aren't the only ones who will benefit - the support staff of John Wright, the coach, Andrew Leipus, the physiotherapist, and Gregory Allen King, the trainer, will also be rewarded. However, the board official added that Bruce Reid, who assisted the team for much of the tour as the bowling coach, will not share the booty. The official also clarified that the bonus would be paid by the board, and not the team sponsor.

This would be the second time in less than 12 months that the Indian team has won a bonus from the board - each player got Rs 25,00,000 after India reached the final of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.