The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the prize money distribution for the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, ahead of the final between Australia and South Africa, scheduled for June 11, 2025, at Lord’s.  Announced on May 15, 2025, the announcement has brought out the financial benefits for the leading teams of the highly esteemed Test championship, with the winner being promised a substantial INR 30.78 crore and the runners-up INR 18.46 crore. This is a significant hike from the last cycle, measuring the ICC's enthusiasm for encouraging Test cricket.

Australia, who finished at the top of the WTC points table with a percentage of 62.50 following a 3-1 series victory against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and South Africa, who secured their place with a percentage of 55.56 after a 2-0 series victory against Sri Lanka, will contest for the top award. The other teams in the WTC table have also been awarded prize money according to their ranks. India, who finished third, will be handed INR 12.31 crore, and New Zealand, fourth, will get INR 10.26 crore. England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, and Pakistan will get INR 8.2 crore, INR 7.18 crore, INR 6.15 crore, INR 5.13 crore, and INR 4.10 crore, respectively, for their performances in the cycle.

The WTC cycle for 2025, which started in 2023, has experienced fierce competition in 69 matches where teams have been competing to reach the final. The distribution of prize money not only honors the best but also provides financial assistance to all teams that participate, fostering the development of Test cricket around the world. ICC Chairman Jay Shah pointed out, "The WTC is a pillar of Test cricket, and this prize fund reflects our commitment to the format."

Financial Incentive for Test Cricket

The huge prize money for the WTC 2025 final is a testament to the ICC's attempts to keep the longest format alive, which tends to battle for attention in the T20-dominated age. The winner's share of INR 30.78 crore is a strong motivation, making the WTC among the richest team sport championships, while the runner-up's INR 18.46 crore guarantees both finalists are heavily rewarded.

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For sides such as India and New Zealand, who just fell short of the final, the incentive money of INR 12.31 crore and INR 10.26 crore, respectively, gives a financial advantage to their cricket boards. Even lower-ranked nations such as Pakistan, with INR 4.10 crore, are better off, so that Test cricket is a profitable option in all cricketing nations as the sport changes.