India's T20 World Cup-winning cricket team has been awarded a bonus of 1.31 billion rupees ($14.24 million) by the country's cricket board, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This sum is six times the prize money they claimed for lifting the title in Ahmedabad.

In recognition of their victory at the home tournament, the BCCI, the world's richest cricket board, announced the additional prize for the Indian team on Tuesday. The amount is roughly $3 million higher than the tournament's overall prize pot of $11.25 million.

India secured their historic third men's T20 World Cup crown with a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand in a one-sided final on Sunday, earning $2.34 million for the tournament win. The BCCI said in a statement: "The Board congratulates the players, support staff and selectors once again on this historic achievement and wishes them continued success in the future."

The prize money will be shared among the entire team, including coaches and support staff. Last year, the BCCI had also rewarded the Champions Trophy-winning Indian team with a $6.72 million cash bonus, triple that of the $2.24 million they received for the title win.

With India now three-times T20 World Cup champions, captain Suryakumar Yadav said the side's next big goal was to claim a gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement that the victory cemented India's place "among the most successful teams in the history of the format".

Cricket commands an unrivalled following in the world's most populous country, with top players enjoying star status. Midnight celebrations broke out across the country on Sunday as delirious fans in blue Indian shirts took to the streets, beating drums and dancing to Bollywood hits.

Source: www.aljazeera.com