The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing for a significant revamp of its annual central contract system, a move that could alter how India’s biggest cricketing stars are categorised and compensated. According to reports, the board is considering to discontinue the elite Grade A+ bracket altogether, a change that would have a direct impact on senior players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
If the proposal is approved, both Kohli and Rohit are expected to be placed in Grade B under the new structure, reflecting their current status as players active in only one international format.
The proposed restructuring of BCCI central contract
The proposed restructuring has been recommended by the national selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar. A final decision is expected to be taken after discussions at the upcoming apex council meeting, where the BCCI will also outline the revised financial framework that will govern the new contract system.
At present, the central contracts are divided into four tiers – A+, A, B, and C – which operate independently of match fees. The existing system values Grade A+ at ₹7 crore annually, Grade A at ₹5 crore, Grade B at ₹3 crore, and Grade C at ₹1 crore.
Why the A+ Category is set to be removed?
Under the new proposal, the A+ category would be removed entirely, leaving only three grades: A, B, and C. While the revised pay structure has not yet been officially disclosed, the most notable shift would be the elimination of the premium A+ tier that was designed for players contributing across all three formats.
In the 2024-25 central contract list announced in April 2025, Kohli and Rohit were part of the A+ bracket along with Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. However, with Kohli and Rohit now focusing exclusively on ODIs, they no longer meet the eligibility criteria set for the top tier.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has publicly addressed the reasoning behind the proposed changes, emphasising that the decision is based purely on cricketing considerations rather than financial disputes or personal differences.
“The plan will go ahead very soon. We are removing one category because the players who were eligible for the A-plus category are now playing just one of the three formats. The criteria we have set to qualify a player for A-plus are not being fulfilled,” Saikia told Sportstar.
He further clarified that the adjustment should not be viewed as a downgrade or a sign of discord between players and the board.
Saikia stressed that there is no tension between the BCCI and its senior stars, reiterating that the changes reflect the evolving nature of international cricket and player workloads.
“Some of the players who were in that A+ bracket have decided not to play in all three formats. Therefore, there are not enough players remaining to qualify and fulfill the eligibility criteria. A one-format player will not be eligible for A+, so that is why we had to take a call. There is no heartburn,” he explained.
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A move to encourage all-format excellence among younger players
One of the key objectives behind simplifying the contract structure is to incentivise players who consistently feature across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. By streamlining the categories, the BCCI hopes to ensure that cricketers handling the heaviest international schedules receive the highest financial rewards.
The revised system is also expected to motivate younger players to establish themselves in all three formats, aligning remuneration more closely with workload and availability rather than reputation alone.
