The Indian cricket team will be awarded a million dollars by the International Cricket Council (ICC) if they win the first Test against visitors Australia, to be played in Pune from February 23. The big cash reward will be given to the team as prize money for retaining the number one ICC Ranking in Tests. The cut-off date for winning the amount is April 1, 2017. A win in the first Test in Pune will ensure that India cement their place as the top-ranked team in the sport’s longest format till that date.
In the four-Test series, India can ensure their world No. 1 status till April 1, by winning just one Test. And if that happens, India will get $1 million (Rs 6.70 crore) as the prize money from International Cricket Council (ICC). India currently have 121 points while Australia are on 109.
India and Australia will play four Test matches in the series and the visitors too are in with a shout to scoop up the $1 million dollar prize. But while India have to win just one out of the four Tests to retain their top spot, Australia will have to ensure that they beat India by at least a 3-0 margin, drawing one.
ICC’s cut-off date to retain the top rankings and win the prize money is April 1, 2017. Therefore, a win in the first Test will keep India at the top spot and also give them money.
India will play a four-match Test series against Australia which will run till March 29. But they took the top spot in Test rankings four months back during the New Zealand Test series.
whereas Australia, who are ranked second at present, have struggled in recent months in Tests. The last time they visited the sub-continent for a Test series, Steve Smith’s side was mauled 3-0 in Sri Lanka by the islanders. They were also beaten 2-1 by South Africa at home last year, which led to severe criticism of the team in Australia.
After winning the third and final Test in Indore against New Zealand, India attained the number one rank in the game’s longest format and were also awarded the ICC mace for the same.
However, if Australia can defeat India 4-0 in the Test series then they will become the No. 1 team. If Australia wins the series with a 3-0 margin, then the two teams will be joint No. 1 on April 1. In case, Australia win by 2-0 or 3-1 margin, then also India will remain No. 1.
So, Kohli’s side needs to win at least one Test or draw at least two matches. However, going by the current form (India have won last six Test series that they played) winning more than that number is what the fans would be expecting.
Earlier the prize money for the highest ranked Test team was $5, 00, 000 but that was doubled to $1 million in 2015.
Since the October win against New Zealand, India have been on an unbeatable run. They clean swept New Zealand 3-0 and then went on to beat England 4-0 in the five-match Test series.
In the one-off Test against Bangladesh, the first five-day game the visitors played in India, the hosts beat them by a massive margin of 208 runs and extended the run to 19 matches.
The second-ranked Australia have been inconsistent in the near past. They lost 3-0 to Sri Lanka the last time they visited the sub-continent. So, the task is cut out for the Steven Smith-led team.
Australia will play a warm-up match against India A, starting on Thursday.
The four-Test series between India and Australia will start on February 23, with Pune hosting the first Test. Bengaluru, Ranchi and Dharamsala are the other venues.
Extra Cover: India’s full cricket schedule for 2017
Leave a Reply