India blew away England inside three days in the fifth and final Test, winning by an innings and 64 runs at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday. The hosts were bowled out for 477 early on Day 3, but the damage had already been done. England trailed by 259 points and the visitors crumbled to a crushing defeat just before the scheduled time for Tea. Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his 36th five-wicket haul as England were bowled out for 195.
India took the field on Day 3 without captain Rohit Sharma. He did not take the field due to a stiff back, with pacer Jasprit Bumrah taking charge as the team's skipper.
Despite Rohit's absence, there was no lack of aggression from the Indian players. One of the incidents that went viral was Jonny Bairstow's feud with Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan.
Gill and Sarfaraz were spotted sledding in Bairstow. Reacting to the incident, former India opener Wasim Jaffer shared a hilarious post, giving a special mention to Virat Kohli.
#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/GfyxvvbGjO
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 9, 2024
Meanwhile, BCCI President Jay Shah announced an incentive of Rs 45 lakh per match for anyone who plays 75 per cent or more of the scheduled red-ball matches in a given season.
A Test player, who participates in up to 10 Tests in a season, will be richer with as much as Rs 4.50 crore as incentive, apart from a possible Rs 1.5 crore (15 lakh per game) in usual match expenses.
The best cricketers also get a guaranteed retainer based on their annual central contracts.
“I am pleased to announce the commencement of the 'Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' for seniors, a step aimed at providing financial growth and stability to our valued athletes,” Shah stated on 'X'.
“From the 2022-2023 season onwards, the 'Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' will serve as an additional reward structure over and above the existing match fee for Test matches, set at Rs 15 lakh,” he further stated.
The incentives will be retrospective and will take into account players who were part of Test cricket during the 2022-2023 season.
(With PTI inputs)
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