The Indian Under-19 team has won its fourth World Cup and its 2018 run made it the most successful U-19 team in the world. But, India’s U-19 coach Rahul Dravid has a question for the BCCI that why there is a disparity in cash prizes between him, his support staff and the winning squad?

The BCCI has announced awards of ₹50 lakh for Dravid, ₹20 lakh each for the support staff and ₹30 lakh for the players.

It has also been learned that Dravid was unhappy that he was to receive prize money far greater than the rest of his coaching staff. He has expressed his reservations and has urged that all support staff members be rewarded evenly. It is learned that Dravid has emphasized the importance of no prejudice against the other members of the coaching staff.

Also read: BCCI announces cash reward for U-19 players

Some of the sources of The Indian Express also suggest that Dravid has mentioned that the entire support staff had worked as a team, and had played an equal role in making sure that the U-19 team wins the World Cup in New Zealand.

In a press release announced by BCCI’s Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators on February 3, the Board had granted ₹50 lakh to Dravid, while declaring that the rest of the support staff – Bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, Fielding coach Abhay Sharma, Physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar, Trainer Anand Date, Masseur Mangesh Gaikwad and Video analyst Devraj Raut – would each receive ₹20 lakh. The playing team members were also to be rewarded ₹30 lakh each.

Addressing a press conference after coming back to Indian from New Zealand, after the win on Saturday, Rahul had said he credited the success of the team to the entire support staff which had worked hard behind the scenes. He had gently pointed out the inequality.

After the world title triumph at New Zealand on Saturday, Dravid said, “It’s a bit embarrassing at times because I tend to get a lot of attention and focus, but it is really about the support staff and the quality of people that we’ve had. I don’t want to mention names but everyone in the support staff has put in a great effort. We do the best for the kids.”

Earlier, Dravid was found entangled in the conflict of interest situation at the start of his stint as in 2017 and had subsequently chosen national duty over an IPL coaching contract. He receives ₹4 crore annually for a 3-year-contract with the Indian junior and A teams.

The remaining support staff also works on contracted BCCI payrolls. Dravid though has asserted that everyone had an equal part to play in the triumphant fortnight and months of preparations prior to that.