The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled a Rs 7.50 crore cash reward for India’s Under-19 men’s cricket team following their triumphant campaign at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026. The announcement came on February 7, 2026, shortly after the young Indian side clinched the prestigious title with a commanding 100-run victory over England in the final held at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement, noting that India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and displayed exceptional skill and determination. In a statement to the media, Saikia said that the entire cricketing fraternity and the nation were proud of the Under-19 squad for lifting the trophy and extending India’s record to a sixth U19 World Cup title. He confirmed that the board would reward the players, support staff, and selectors with a total cash prize of Rs 7.50 crore, with details of the exact distribution yet to be finalised.
India’s victory was powered by some standout individual performances, most notably a brilliant 175-run innings by Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who hit 15 fours and 15 sixes, helping India post a mammoth total of 411 for 9 in their 50 overs. Captain Ayush Mhatre also contributed significantly with a steady 53, while England’s response was restricted to 311, despite a fighting 115 from their batter Caleb Falconer. The team’s dominance was evident as they set a new record for the most sixes in a Youth ODI final with 31.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to congratulate the young champions, praising their performance and saying that India’s cricketing talent had once again shone brightly on the world stage. Cricketing legends, including Virat Kohli, also extended their felicitations, celebrating the depth of emerging cricketing talent in the country.
The Rs 7.50 crore reward represents one of the most substantial cash incentives offered by the BCCI for an Under-19 World Cup victory, underlining the importance the board places on nurturing young talent. This recognition is expected to provide not just financial encouragement but also motivation for future prospects aiming to break into senior national ranks. Experts say such rewards also highlight the BCCI’s continued commitment to strengthening the grassroots and age-group cricket structure in India.
