India WTC 2025 Prize Money ₹12.32 Crore Earned Despite Missing the Final
The third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (2023–25) has reached its final stage, with Australia and South Africa set to clash for the coveted title on June 11 at Lord’s. But while the final promises to be a thrilling contest, another headline has emerged — India, despite not qualifying for the final, will earn a whopping ₹12.32 crore ($1.44 million), almost as much as the previous WTC champions earned for winning.
Here’s a comprehensive look at India’s WTC earnings, the prize money distribution, and how ICC’s decision is reshaping the future of Test cricket.
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1. India Misses Out on Final But Not on Riches
India, after finishing third in the WTC 2023–25 standings, will receive $1.44 million (approx. ₹12.32 crore) from the ICC. Even though the Men in Blue were strong contenders and led the table for most of the cycle, defeats to New Zealand (0-3) at home and a 3-1 loss in Australia derailed their campaign.
This payout is remarkable considering India did not even qualify for the final, yet their prize money is almost equal to what New Zealand and Australia earned as champions in the past two editions.
2. ICC’s WTC Purse Sees Massive Increase
The reason behind these record payouts is the ICC’s decision to significantly boost the total prize pool for the WTC 2023–25 cycle. The total prize money has been raised to $3.6 million, more than double the amount awarded during the first two editions.
“The increase in prize money exhibits the ICC’s efforts to prioritise Test cricket as it looks to build on the momentum of the first three cycles of the nine-team competition,” the ICC said in its statement.
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3. Australia Eyes Back-to-Back WTC Titles
Australia, who won the WTC 2023 final against India at Lord’s, have once again qualified for the final and will look to defend their title — a first in WTC history. A win will make them the first team to win consecutive WTC championships and further cement their status as the top Test side in the world.
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4. South Africa’s Late Surge Pays Off
South Africa scripted a strong comeback towards the end of the WTC cycle, defeating Sri Lanka and Pakistan 2-0 at home, to finish at the top with a percentage point tally of 69.44%. Their consistency has earned them a spot in the final and a minimum prize of $2.16 million, even if they lose to Australia.
5. India’s Third-Place Finish: Painful but Profitable
India’s third-place finish may be disappointing for fans expecting a third consecutive final appearance, but the $1.44 million reward softens the blow. Having been runners-up in both 2021 and 2023, the Men in Blue would have loved to go one step further, but the ICC’s revised prize structure ensures the players are still well-compensated for their efforts.
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6. Prize Money: Bigger Than Ever Before
Here’s the complete breakdown of the WTC 2023–25 prize money distribution based on the final standings:
Position Team Prize Money (USD)
1st Australia/South Africa $3,600,000
2nd Australia/South Africa $2,160,000
3rd India $1,440,000
4th New Zealand $1,200,000
5th England $960,000
6th Sri Lanka $840,000
7th Bangladesh $720,000
8th West Indies $600,000
9th Pakistan $480,000
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7. Why the ICC’s Move Is a Game-Changer for Test Cricket
The dramatic increase in WTC prize money reflects a strategic push by the ICC to revitalize interest in Test cricket, which has been struggling in the T20-dominated landscape. By financially rewarding top-performing teams — even those who don’t make it to the final — the ICC is ensuring higher stakes, better competitiveness, and more prestige for the traditional format.
8. India’s Road Ahead in Test Cricket
Although India’s campaign ended earlier than expected, the squad has shown resilience, and the next WTC cycle (2025–27) offers another chance to claim the elusive title. With players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, and Shubman Gill still central to their plans, a restructured approach and better overseas performance could see India return to the WTC final in the next cycle.
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9. Conclusion: ICC Rewards Consistency and Promotes Prestige
India’s ₹12.32 crore reward for finishing third — nearly the same amount awarded to past champions — is a reflection of ICC’s evolving priorities. With increased financial incentives, the WTC is slowly becoming not just a championship of skill and consistency, but also one of financial prestige and long-term cricketing legacy.
While Australia and South Africa prepare for a high-stakes final at Lord’s, teams like India, New Zealand, and England now have more than just pride to play for in future cycles. Test cricket is not just surviving — it’s thriving again.
