Sunil Gavaskar slams Cricket Australia over prize money

Gavaskar slams Cricket Australia: Legendary Indian batsman was unhappy with the prize money offered to the Indian players.

Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain and the first batsman to surpass the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket, has expressed him being at odds with CA (Cricket Australia) regarding the prize money offered to Indian cricketers despite registering a 2-1 series victory in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia.

Cricketers who were awarded the ‘Man of the Match’ and ‘Man of the Series’ in the ODI series were awarded USD 500 each. It is worth mentioning that it was decided that the same money would go for charity irrespective of who won the award.

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Gavaskar didn’t have a problem with the money being donated but was severe against the fact that international cricketers are being awarded such a paltry amount. During his stint in the post-match show on Sony SIX, Gavaskar questioned the same.

“What is USD 500 and it’s a pity that the team has got only a trophy. They [Cricket Australia] earn so much money through broadcast rights. Why can’t they give good prize money to the players? After all, players are the sole reason for the sport getting huge money [from sponsors],” Gavaskar was quoted as saying.

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Comparing the prize money with the Wimbledon, Gavaskar laid emphasis on the fact that it is the players who generate money and that they should be rewarded accordingly.

“Look at the prize money being given away at the Wimbledon [Championships]. It’s phenomenal. The players are key in generating money, so they must be rewarded handsomely,” he added.