A big change is about to come in Indian cricket, as the BCCI is all set to make changes to its central contract system ahead of the 2025-26 season. One of the biggest changes on the table is the removal of the exclusive A-plus category from central contracts following the Test and T20I retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
No longer A+ grade? BCCI to reform central contracts for 2025-26
Since the A-Plus category was created primarily for players who regularly represent India in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, the BCCI felt that the existing system no longer fits the current situation of the national team, so they decided to remove that slab.
With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma no longer playing in all three formats, BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia revealed that the board felt there were not many multiformat players in the current setup, and that is why they decided to remove that specific A-plus category from the central contracts.
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Sportstar quoted Devjit Saikia as saying, “The plan will go ahead very soon. We are removing one category because players who were eligible for the A-Plus category are now only playing one of the three formats. The criteria we have set for a player to qualify for A-Plus is not being met.”
Highest earners of last season
Earlier, A-Plus category players used to earn ₹7 crore per year. Category A players were paid ₹5 crore, Category B players ₹3 crore and Category C players ₹1 crore annually.
Only four Indian players were part of the A-plus group last season, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
Out of these four, Bumrah is the only player who is still active in all three formats. Kohli and Rohit are now focusing only on ODIs, while Jadeja has already retired from T20I cricket, but the all-rounder has continued to play Tests and ODIs.
No resentment, says Devjit Saikia on removal of A-plus category from central contracts
Devjit Saikia believes that there are not enough players who fit the strict A-plus criteria. As a result, one-format specialists will no longer be considered for the top contract slab under the revised system.
However, BCCI has not announced the annual contracts for the next season. But it has been confirmed that Indian players will now be placed only in categories A, B and C in the upcoming contracts for the 2025-26 season, which will be announced soon.
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Saikia further said, “Some of the players who were in that A-Plus bracket have decided not to play in all three formats. So, there are not enough players left to qualify and meet the eligibility criteria. A player in one format will not be eligible for A-Plus, so we had to take this decision. There is no heartburn.”
No payment for Jasprit Bumrah
Despite the removal of premium category, it is being said that there will be no cut in the salary of Bumrah, who plays all three formats for the Indian team. Even though they are managed carefully due to workload concerns and occasional breaks, they are still expected to earn higher salaries.
