No Virat and Rohit in A+ Contracts; BCCI Likely To Drop Star Players in Upcoming Contract

BCCI Likely to Drop A+ Category from Central Contracts Amid Changing Format Commitments
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing for a significant shift in its central contracts structure, with the A+ category likely to be removed from the upcoming players’ contract cycle. The development was confirmed by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia in an interaction with Sportstar, where he explained that the decision is driven by the changing workload and format commitments of India’s senior cricketers.

The A+ category was introduced to reward elite players who consistently represented India across all three formats — Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. However, the modern demands of international cricket, workload management, and selective format participation have altered that landscape. According to Saikia, several top stars who were previously part of the A+ bracket are no longer active across all formats, making the category less relevant going forward.

 

 

Importantly, Saikia clarified that there is no animosity or disagreement between senior players and the board regarding this proposed change. The decision, he emphasized, is purely structural and forward-looking, aimed at aligning contracts with current playing realities rather than individual reputations or past contributions.

Going ahead, the BCCI plans to focus on Grade A, B, and C contracts, which will continue to form the backbone of the central contract system. However, the board has not yet finalized whether the remuneration slabs will remain unchanged or be revised. Earlier, players in the A+ category received ₹7 crore annually, while Grade A players earned ₹5 crore, Grade B players ₹3 crore, and Grade C players ₹1 crore.

Some of Indian cricket’s biggest names — Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja — were part of the A+ category in the previous cycle. All three are modern-day legends, but none of them currently play across all three formats for India. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have stepped away from T20 internationals after the 2024 T20 World Cup, while Ravindra Jadeja’s appearances are largely limited to Tests and selective white-ball assignments.

The proposed removal of the A+ category reflects a broader shift in how the BCCI views player contracts — performance, availability, and format-specific contribution are now taking precedence over legacy status. It also underlines the board’s intent to adapt its policies in response to the evolving nature of international cricket, where specialization is increasingly common.

From a financial and administrative standpoint, the move could also open up room to redistribute resources, potentially strengthening lower contract grades or accommodating emerging players who are consistently contributing across formats.

While the final contract structure and salary distribution are yet to be announced, the message from the BCCI is clear: the central contracts system is evolving with the game. The focus remains on fairness, clarity, and sustainability, ensuring that India’s cricketers are rewarded in line with their current roles rather than historical benchmarks.

As Indian cricket enters a new phase with packed calendars and rising talent depth, the upcoming contracts could set an important precedent for how elite players are managed in the years to come.

 

BCCI Central Contracts Update – Key Details