India’s cricket establishment may be preparing to redraw the financial and status map of its national players, with the BCCI considering sweeping changes to its central contracts system ahead of the 2025–26 season.
According to media reports, sources tracking internal deliberations say the national selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, has put forward a proposal that could eliminate the premium Grade A+ bracket altogether.
Introduced in 2018 to reward all-format regulars, the category currently represents the highest tier in Indian cricket’s pay hierarchy.
If removed, the decision would have a direct bearing on senior names such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are among the few players placed in that elite group.
At present, the BCCI operates a four-tier structure, with Grade A+ players earning Rs 7 crore annually, followed by Rs 5 crore for Grade A, Rs 3 crore for Grade B and Rs 1 crore for Grade C.
However, sources cited in media reports indicate that the board is now inclined towards a simplified three-category model — A, B and C — beginning with the next contract cycle, media reports said.
Only four players — Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja — featured in the A+ bracket during the last cycle. While the possible removal of the top grade has sparked speculation about financial downgrades, insiders suggest that key performers such as Bumrah are expected to remain among the highest-paid players under the revised framework. Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill is also likely to be grouped in the top ‘A’ tier, sources said.
The biggest shift could be for veterans Kohli and Rohit, both of whom have stepped away from at least one international format. With central contracts increasingly aligned to multi-format availability, reports suggest the duo could be slotted into the B category, though a final decision will depend on the apex council’s approval.
“This proposal will come up for discussion at the next apex council meeting,” a source told media outlets, adding that the meeting may also examine whether existing retainer amounts need recalibration along with the structural overhaul.
The current 2024–25 contract list places Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill in Grade A, while Grade B includes players such as Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer. Grade C continues to function as an entry-level bracket for a wide pool of emerging and fringe players, even as some, like Washington Sundar, remain active across formats despite lower categorisation.
Central contracts, paid annually in addition to match fees, are not only a source of financial security but also a reflection of a cricketer’s standing within the national ecosystem. If the proposed changes are cleared, the upcoming contract cycle could mark a decisive shift in how the BCCI evaluates performance, format commitment and long-term value in Indian cricket.
Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah, Smriti Mandhana Named BCCI’s Best International Cricketers https://www.vibesofindia.com/jasprit-bumrah-smriti-mandhana-named-bccis-best-international-cricketers/
