Indian cricketers rewarded with cash after winning medals

Indian cricketers rewarded with cash after winning medals (Source: Ranjith Kumar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

India claimed gold in both the men’s and women’s cricket events at the 2026 Asian Games held in Japan, successfully defending both titles from the previous edition. The men’s side defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the final on October 3, 2026, while the women’s team crushed Sri Lanka by 147 runs at Karogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, Aichi.

Following these victories, several state governments moved quickly to recognise their home-grown players with cash prizes. Four cricketers in particular received notable financial rewards from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

These are the Indian cricketers who got rewarded with cash after winning medals:

Washington Sundar

Spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar received a cash prize of ₹75 lakh from the Government of Tamil Nadu after India’s gold medal win in men’s cricket at the 2026 Asian Games. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay made the announcement on October 3, 2026, confirming that the state government would formally present the award to Sundar. The all-rounder played a key role in the men’s final against Pakistan, taking 2 wickets for 29 runs as India posted 211/6 and restricted Pakistan to 192/6 in 20 overs.

Deepti Sharma

Uttar Pradesh honoured Deepti Sharma with a cash prize of ₹3 crore following India’s dominant gold medal performance in women’s cricket. Deepti was the standout bowler in the women’s final against Sri Lanka, claiming figures of 3/6 as India bowled out Sri Lanka for just 69 in 15.4 overs. India had earlier posted 216/3 in their 20 overs, winning by 147 runs. The women’s final was a repeat of the Hangzhou 2023 gold medal match, and India’s victory was also described as the country’s first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games.

Vipraj Nigam

Uttar Pradesh also announced a cash prize of ₹3 crore for Vipraj Nigam, who was part of the Indian men’s squad that defeated Pakistan in the final on October 3, 2026. The state government’s decision to reward Nigam reflects the broader recognition extended to UP-based players who contributed to India’s gold medal campaign in men’s cricket at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

Shreyanka Patil

Karnataka revised its cash award structure for Asian Games 2026 medal winners, hiking the gold medal prize from ₹35 lakh to ₹1 crore. Shreyanka Patil, who was part of India’s gold medal-winning women’s cricket squad, stands to receive ₹1 crore from the Karnataka government under this updated reward scheme. The state’s decision to increase the prize amount underlines the growing recognition of women’s cricket achievements at the national level.

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