The BCCI is planning a major change to its central contract system. If approved, you may see the Grade A+ category removed, which could directly affect senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Grade A+ Category Likely to Be Scrapped
Sources say the new structure removes Grade A+ entirely. You would then see only three categories Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C. The current top tier, which pays Rs 7 crore annually, may no longer exist.
Kohli and Rohit May Be Placed in Grade B
Under the proposed system, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are likely to be moved to Grade B. Both currently play only ODI cricket for India, which affects their contract position.
Selection Committee Sent Proposal
The proposal has been sent by the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar. The committee has recommended a simplified structure with just three grades instead of four.
Apex Council to Take Final Call
You can expect the final decision at the next BCCI Apex Council meeting. The council will also discuss how the revised payment structure will work under the new system.
Format Based Model Behind the Shift
The new contract model focuses on format involvement and player availability. If you play fewer formats, you are expected to fall into a lower grade. This is the main reason senior players risk moving down.
Current Contract Structure for 2024-25
The existing BCCI contract system offers Rs 7 crore for Grade A+, Rs 5 crore for Grade A, Rs 3 crore for Grade B, and Rs 1 crore for Grade C. This structure has been in place for the 2024–25 season.
Players in Each Category This Season
The 2024–25 list includes Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja in Grade A+. Grade A features Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, and Rishabh Pant.
Grade B and Grade C Player List
Grade B includes Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer. Grade C features Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, and others.
What the Change Means for Indian Cricket
If approved, this shift will clearly change how the BCCI rewards players. Your contract value will depend more on format commitment and availability rather than seniority alone.
