The Board of Control for Cricket in India is planning a significant revamp of its Annual Central Contracts system. This overhaul could dramatically change how elite Indian cricketers are categorized and compensated.
Proposed Changes to Contract Structure
According to sources within the BCCI, the selection committee has put forward a proposal to eliminate the prestigious Grade A+ category entirely. This move would directly impact senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who currently hold this top-tier status.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee recommends restructuring the contracts into just three categories: A, B, and C. This would replace the current four-tier system that has been in place for several years.
Impact on Senior Players
If the new structure receives approval from the BCCI's apex council, players will be grouped based on their current format involvement rather than their stature or legacy. This represents a fundamental shift in how the board values player contributions.
Under this proposed framework, Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to be placed in Grade B. Both players are now active primarily in ODIs, which would influence their placement in the new system. Grade B currently carries an annual retainer of Rs 3 crore, significantly less than the Rs 7 crore offered in the A+ category.
Current Contract System
The existing 2024-25 central contracts list, announced in April 2025, featured four players in the Grade A+ category:
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Jasprit Bumrah
Grade A included several prominent players:
- Mohammed Siraj
- KL Rahul
- Shubman Gill
- Hardik Pandya
- Mohammed Shami
- Rishabh Pant
Grade B housed players such as Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer. A large pool of emerging players were placed in Grade C.
Rationale Behind the Changes
BCCI officials indicate the proposed changes aim to align contracts more closely with actual workload, formats played, and future planning for the national team. "Nothing is final yet, but there is a clear intent to make contracts reflect current contributions rather than past achievements," explained a senior BCCI source.
The apex council is expected to deliberate on this proposal in its next meeting. This discussion will likely provide clarity on whether monetary slabs will be revised along with the structural changes to the contract system.
Understanding Central Contracts
Central contracts serve as annual retainers paid to players in addition to their match fees. These contracts provide financial security while also indicating a player's standing within the national cricket setup. The proposed changes could redefine how the BCCI values and rewards its cricketers moving forward.
This potential overhaul comes at a time when Indian cricket is transitioning between generations of players. The board appears focused on creating a system that better reflects current playing commitments and future team needs.
