IPL
IPL trophy (Credits: Twitter)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced cash prize for the curators and groundsmen after the successful completion of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

IPL 2022 came to an end on Sunday (May 22) with the final between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad. The final was played in front of a jam-packed crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the biggest cricket stadium in the world.

Playing their first-ever season in IPL, the Titans thrashed the Royals by 7 wickets to be crowned champions. The Hardik Pandya-led side thoroughly dominated the contest after losing the toss.

Asked to bowl first, the Gujarat-based outfit did extremely well to restrict their high-flying opponents to a modest total of 130 for 9 in the allotted 20 overs. Captain Pandya led from the front, taking 3 wickets for just 17 runs off his 4 overs.

Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans (Credits: Twitter)

For the Royals, their star man Jos Buttler was the top-scorer once again, scoring 39 off 35 balls. In reply, the Titans chased down the total by losing only 3 wickets and with 11 balls remaining.

The Titans started their chase on a shaky note as they lost the wickets of Wriddhiman Saha and Matthew Wade inside 5 overs. But from thereon, they controlled the proceedings. Opener Shubman Gill anchored the chase brilliantly by scoring an unbeaten 45 while Pandya (34) and David Miller (32*) played crucial knocks too.

Cash prize for curators and groundsmen:

A day after the end of the tournament, BCCI secretary Jay Shah thanked the curators and groundsmen while announcing a cash prize for them. Shah took to Twitter to reveal the news.

In his tweet, Shah stated that the board will give a cash prize of Rs 1.5 crore to the ‘unsung heroes’ for their work. Shah announced a cash prize of Rs 25 lacs each for the curators and groundsmen of Wankhede Stadium, DY Patil Stadium, CCI Stadium and MCA Stadium.

These four stadiums were the venues for the entire league stage. Shah further said that Rs 12.5 lacs will be given to Eden Gardens and Narendra Modi Stadium. Eden Gardens was the venue for the first qualifier and the Eliminator while the Narendra Modi Stadium hosted the second qualifier and the final.

“I’m pleased to announce a prize money of INR 1.25 crores for the men who gave us the best games in #TATAIPL 2022. The unsung heroes – our curators and groundsmen across 6 IPL venues this season,” tweeted Jay Shah.

“We’ve witnessed some high octane games and I would like thank each one of them for their hardwork. 25 lacs each for CCI, Wankhede, DY Patil and MCA, Pune 12.5 lacs each for Eden and Narendra Modi Stadium,” he added.