The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recognized the invaluable contribution of the groundsmen and curators who have played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the recently concluded IPL 2024 season. In a gesture of appreciation, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced significant cash rewards for these “unsung heroes.”
Speaking on Monday, Jay Shah revealed that the groundsmen and curators at the 10 regular IPL venues will each receive a cash reward of Rs 25 lakhs. The curators of the three additional venues, which were used to accommodate an expanded schedule, will receive Rs 10 lakhs each. This announcement comes as a token of appreciation for the exceptional pitches provided during the tournament, which saw numerous high-scoring matches and memorable moments.
“The unsung heroes of our successful T20 season are the incredible ground staff who worked tirelessly to provide brilliant pitches, even in difficult weather conditions,” Shah stated. “As a token of our appreciation, the groundsmen and curators at the 10 regular IPL venues will receive INR 25 lakhs each, and the same at the 3 additional venues will get INR 10 lakhs each. Thank you for your dedication and hard work!”
The Venues and Their Impact
The 10 regular venues for the IPL this year included:
- Mumbai
- Delhi
- Chennai
- Kolkata
- Chandigarh
- Hyderabad
- Bengaluru
- Lucknow
- Ahmedabad
- Jaipur
The additional venues that were utilized included Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Dharamsala. These venues were strategically chosen to accommodate the expanded tournament schedule, with Guwahati serving as the second home for Rajasthan Royals, Visakhapatnam hosting Delhi Capitals’ first leg of home matches, and Dharamsala acting as the secondary base for Punjab Kings.
A Season of Records and High Scores
IPL 2024 witnessed a plethora of high-scoring matches, setting new records in the process. The Sunrisers Hyderabad, in particular, made headlines by breaking the team total record twice. They scored 287 for three against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 15 in Bengaluru and 277 for three against Mumbai Indians on March 27 in Hyderabad. The 250-run mark was breached an unprecedented eight times this season, showcasing the quality of the pitches prepared by the ground staff.
Continued Tradition of Recognition
This is not the first time that Jay Shah has acknowledged the efforts of groundsmen and curators. As the president of the Asian Cricket Council, Shah announced a cash reward of USD 50,000 for Sri Lanka‘s pitch curators and groundsmen during the Asia Cup last year. Following IPL 2022, Shah had also announced a staggering prize money of Rs 1.25 crore for the curators and groundsmen of all six venues used that season.
Conclusion of IPL 2024
IPL 2024 concluded on Sunday night with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) securing their third IPL title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in the final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The season was marked by exceptional performances, both on and off the field, with the contributions of the groundsmen and curators being crucial to the overall success of the tournament.
By recognizing the tireless efforts of these individuals, the BCCI continues to highlight the importance of every role in the sport, ensuring that those who work behind the scenes receive their due recognition and reward.
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