Virat Kohli-led Indian Test team assured of $1 million cash award

Dubai, March 21: The Virat Kohli-led Indian Test team is assured of a cash award of $ 1 million next month irrespective of the result from the 4th and series-deciding Test against Australia in Dharamsala.

Jadeja is sole No. 1; Pujara overtakes Kohli

India, currently the number one ranked Test side in the world, will stay there untill the April 1 cut-off date to receive $ 1 million bonus from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Indian players celebrate their Test win against Australia in Bengaluru earlier this month (March)

The 4-match rubber between India and Australia is level at 1-1. The 4th and final Test starts in Dharamsala on March 25 (Saturday).

Today, ICC announced that India will receive a cash reward of $ 1 million as they are assured of finishing as number one on April 1, 2017. However, the race for 2nd spot and $500,000 is still on.

"Meanwhile, the race for the second spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings has become interesting as Australia and South Africa compete ahead of the cut-off date of 1 April, on which India is assured of finishing first and a cash award of $1 million," ICC said in a media release today (March 21).

"Australia will finish second and get a cash award $ 500,000 with at least a draw in the last Test in Dharamsala while South Africa can finish second if Australia loses and South Africa either wins or draws the last match against New Zealand in Hamilton.

"The third-placed team on 1 April will receive $ 200,000 while the fourth-placed team, which will be England, will get $ 100,000," it added.

ICC Test team rankings as on March 21, 2017

1. India 121 Rating Points

2. Australia 109

3. South Africa 107

4. England 101

5. New Zealand 98

6. Pakistan 97

7. Sri Lanka 90

8. West Indies 69

9. Bangladesh 66

10. Zimbabwe 5