Cash, plots, awards follow Team India

After the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took the lead in announcing a Rs one crore award for each player, several state governments have followed suit. Some states did not announce any cash reward but said the cricketers will be honoured with respective state awards.

Indian Railways has announced complimentary lifetime passes for the Indian cricket team members along with one companion for unlimited free travel in first AC coaches anywhere in the country.

Moreover, four Indian players employed by Air India, including captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni have been promoted. Dhoni was promoted as manager from his earlier position of deputy manager at the Ranchi office of the carrier. Yuvraj Singh has been promoted as senior manager while Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina will now be managers.

Coach of the victorious Indian team, Gary Kirsten, and other support staff will get Rs 50 lakh each as reward for their contribution, while the selectors will be given Rs 25 lakh each, BCCI President Shashank Manohar said on Sunday.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit announced a award of Rs two crore for Dhoni and
Rs one crore each for four Delhi players - Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli and Ashish Nehra.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan announced award of Rs one crore each for Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan, who hail from the state.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh will be given a cash award of Rs one crore each.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has announced to honour the victorious cricket players with a residential plot each from the Bangalore Development Authority.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhrayal Nishank promised a residential plot or a house in Mussoorie hill station for Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, who has been a regular visitor there with his family.

He also announced that a stadium will be built and named after Dhoni. Gujarat Government announced its highest sports honour Eklavya Award for Yousuf Pathan and Munaf Patel.

Jharkhand government said it would give a plot of land to Dhoni to set up a cricket academy in the state.

Haryana government said it will honour Sehwag and Nehra with the state’s best sportsperson of the year award. The Uttar Pradesh government said it will felicitate Suresh Raina and Piyush Chawla with Kanshiram International Sports award.