New Delhi : The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the prize money for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle, and the figures have stunned the cricketing world. With a whopping total prize pool of USD 5.76 million (approximately ₹49.29 crore), the current edition’s reward is more than double that of the previous two cycles.
The WTC Final, to be played between South Africa and Australia at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground starting June 11, will see the winner walk away with USD 3.6 million (₹30.79 crore). The runner-up will earn USD 2.16 million (₹18.47 crore).
India Secures Third Spot and Heavy Prize Money
Though Team India missed out on a place in the final, finishing third in the WTC standings, the Men in Blue were still handsomely rewarded with a prize of USD 1.44 million, which translates to approximately ₹12.31 crore.
This substantial earning reaffirms India’s dominance in red-ball cricket, even though they narrowly missed the chance to compete for the title. India had featured in the previous two WTC finals, finishing runners-up both times.
Even the Last-Ranked Team Earns Big
Interestingly, even the bottom-ranked team, Pakistan, secured a sizeable chunk of the prize pool. Despite finishing ninth, Pakistan received USD 480,000 (approximately ₹4.10 crore) as part of the ICC’s equitable distribution strategy aimed at promoting Test cricket among all full-member nations.
The prize distribution covered all nine participating teams, rewarding them based on final standings and performance throughout the WTC cycle.
WTC 2023–25 Prize Money Breakdown (USD):
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Winner (TBD – SA/AUS): USD 3.6 million (approx. ₹30.79 crore)
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Runner-up (TBD – SA/AUS): USD 2.16 million (approx. ₹18.47 crore)
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3rd Place – India: USD 1.44 million (approx. ₹12.31 crore)
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4th to 9th places: Ranging from USD 1.2 million to USD 0.48 million
With prize money soaring and stakes higher than ever, the upcoming final at Lord’s is expected to draw massive global attention. And even though India won’t be in the contest this time, their on-field dominance and off-field earnings underline their continued prominence in world cricket.
