The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed that the winners of the upcoming ICC World Test Championship Final 2023 between India and Australia will receive a prize fund of $1.6 million (approximately 13.21 crore). The announcement came on Friday, heightening the stakes for the highly anticipated clash, which will determine the world's top Test team. The runner-up will take home $800,000 (Rs 6.50 crore) as a consolation prize. The final match will be held at The Oval in London from June 7 to 11, with June 12 serving as the reserve day.
The substantial prize money serves as a significant incentive for both teams, alongside the prestigious title of being crowned the champions of Test cricket. The ICC confirmed that the prize money for this edition is the same as the inaugural World Test Championship held from 2019 to 2021, which had a total purse of $3.8 million.
In the previous edition of the championship, New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson, claimed victory over India in the final held in Southampton two years ago, earning a winners' prize of $1.6 million along with the coveted Mace.
All nine participating teams in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 will receive a share of the $3.8 million purse. South Africa, finishing in third place in the standings, will receive $450,000 as their reward. England, who displayed an aggressive playing style to make a late resurgence, secured fourth place and will be awarded $350,000.
Sri Lanka, once in contention for a spot in the final but defeated in their series against New Zealand, slipped to fifth place and will receive a share of $200,000. The remaining teams—New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies, and Bangladesh—occupying the sixth to ninth positions respectively, will each be given $100,000.
With the substantial prize money at stake, the ICC World Test Championship Final promises to be a thrilling battle between two cricketing powerhouses, as India and Australia vie for the ultimate glory in the longest format of the game.