New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India is considering a major restructuring of its central contract system, a move that could significantly alter how senior and emerging players are categorised and compensated. The proposed overhaul may see the elimination of the top A+ category, which has traditionally been reserved for elite all-format cricketers.
Under the new framework, the central contract system would reportedly be streamlined into three tiers only: Grade A, Grade B and Grade C. This proposal has been put forward by the men’s selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar and is awaiting formal approval from the BCCI’s Apex Council.
If implemented, the changes would have a notable impact on some of Indian cricket’s biggest names. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have stepped away from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, are expected to be placed in Grade B. This would mark the first time in more than a decade that the two stalwarts would not feature in the top contract bracket.
The current 2024–25 contracts, announced in April 2025, placed Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja in the A+ category. With the proposed removal of this tier, the distinction between all-format regulars and limited-format players would be redrawn. Bumrah, who is often rested during bilateral series to manage workload, may also be affected by the revised structure.
At present, players in the A+ category receive an annual retainer of Rs 7 crore, while Grade A players earn Rs 5 crore, Grade B Rs 3 crore and Grade C Rs 1 crore. The new three-tier system is expected to prompt a reassessment of retainer values, with indications that payouts could be increased to balance the removal of the top bracket. Final figures are likely to be discussed at the next Apex Council meeting.
The proposed shift reflects the evolving nature of Indian cricket, where there are fewer senior players consistently featuring across all three formats. Ravindra Jadeja has retired from T20 Internationals, and his ODI role has become more limited, while the emergence of younger multi-format players is still a work in progress.
The BCCI reviews its central contracts annually, adjusting categories based on performance, availability and workload across formats. If approved, this revamp could signal a new approach focused on flexibility, workload management and the changing demands of modern international cricket.
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