BCCI Central Contract Heartbreak: Rohit and Kohli Facing Massive Financial Blow After A+ Category Exit
The BCCI Central Contract framework is set to undergo a historic and seismic transformation that will directly impact the earnings and status of India’s biggest cricketing icons. For nearly a decade, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have stood as the pillars of Indian cricket, commanding the highest level of respect and the fattest paychecks. However, a major financial storm is brewing as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prepares to overhaul its annual player retention list. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the sporting community, the board is considering a proposal to completely abolish the elite ‘A+ Category.’ This decision implies that the superstars who previously enjoyed the highest bracket of remuneration will face a significant reduction in their annual earnings, amounting to several crores of rupees. As the news spreads, fans and analysts are engaged in a heated debate regarding the future of senior players in this new administrative era.
Proposed Removal of A+ Category in BCCI Central Contract
This radical shift in the BCCI Central Contract structure stems from a critical recommendation made by the national selection committee. Led by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, the committee has formally advised top board officials to streamline the contract system by limiting it to only three tiers: Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C. The specialized A+ category was originally introduced during the 2017-18 season with a specific objective: to reward and incentivize “all-format” players—those rare athletes who represent India with excellence across Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals.
However, the selection committee now believes that the A+ category has lost its primary relevance in the current landscape of the game. The final decision on this proposal is expected to be made during the upcoming BCCI Apex Council meeting, which will be chaired by BCCI President Mithun Manhas. If ratified, this change will redefine the pay scale of Indian cricket. The logic behind this move is that the number of players participating in all three formats has dwindled significantly, making a separate high-level category logically difficult to justify. The board is looking to move away from a system that rewards seniority or past reputation, focusing instead on active participation and current workload.
Impact on Rohit and Kohli’s BCCI Central Contract Status
The most devastating impact of this revised BCCI Central Contract policy will be felt by the legendary duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Following their retirement from both Test and T20 cricket, both players are now exclusively seen in the One Day International (ODI) format. Under the proposed new rules of the BCCI Central Contract, a player who participates in only a single format cannot be classified as an ‘all-format’ star. Consequently, the selection committee is preparing to demote these stalwarts directly to Grade B.
This demotion translates into a staggering financial loss of ₹4 crore annually for each player. Currently, as A+ category members, Rohit and Kohli receive an annual retainer of ₹7 crore. If moved to Grade B, this amount will plummet to just ₹3 crore. For icons of their stature, this is not merely a financial setback but also a significant shift in their perceived seniority within the team hierarchy. Ravindra Jadeja, who has also retired from the T20 format, is expected to face a similar fate, likely sliding down from his current A+ standing as the board implements these strict format-based criteria.
The Vanishing All-Format Stars and the BCCI Central Contract
A major challenge for the BCCI Central Contract committee is the scarcity of players who are fit and available for all three formats of the game. When the A+ category was first championed by former captain Virat Kohli and then-coach Anil Kumble, the team boasted several players who were mainstays in every version of the sport. Today, the landscape is vastly different due to workload management and specialized roles. Currently, Jasprit Bumrah stands as the only established player who consistently features across all three formats. While young talents like Harshit Rana are being given opportunities in all formats, they lack the experience required for elite categorization.
When only two or three players are eligible for a specific tier, maintaining the entire A+ infrastructure within the BCCI Central Contract becomes administratively redundant. By restructuring the system, the board aims to prioritize athletes who maintain high fitness levels and provide consistent availability. This shift signals the end of high salaries based solely on legendary status. By making current form and contribution the primary yardsticks for pay, the BCCI hopes to foster healthy competition among younger players, encouraging them to strive for a permanent spot in all three squads.
Future of Bumrah and Gill in the BCCI Central Contract
Even the world’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, will feel the ripple effects of these changes to the BCCI Central Contract. While he is currently a member of the elite A+ group, the total abolition of that tier would see him placed in Grade A. In this scenario, even a match-winner like Bumrah could see a reduction in his annual salary by ₹2 crore, as Grade A players typically receive ₹5 crore. This potential pay cut for a player of Bumrah’s caliber is likely to be a point of intense discussion within the board rooms.
On the other hand, the rising star of Indian cricket and current Test-ODI captain, Shubman Gill, is expected to solidify his position in Grade A. Currently, the Grade A bracket of the BCCI Central Contract includes prominent names like Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, and Rishabh Pant. While their salaries might remain stable under the new system, they will likely face much stricter performance reviews. The board’s primary goal is to ensure that top-tier players remain motivated to prioritize national duty over other commitments, while also adjusting for the financial realities of a simplified three-tier system.
Domestic Cricket and the New BCCI Central Contract Policy
The BCCI is simultaneously adopting an uncompromising stance toward domestic cricket, a philosophy that is being integrated into the new BCCI Central Contract philosophy. The board sent a clear message in 2024 by excluding high-profile players like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the contract list after they declined to participate in domestic tournaments. By removing the A+ category and narrowing the pay gap between international and domestic-focused players, the BCCI is aiming to strengthen the foundation of Indian cricket.
The administration wants to ensure that players do not focus exclusively on high-profile events like the IPL or international tours. Instead, they are being encouraged to return to the Ranji Trophy and other domestic stages to maintain the quality of the local game. For young players currently in Grade C, such as Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Varun Chakravarthy, this new structure provides a more transparent ladder for promotion. It reinforces the idea that in the eyes of the BCCI, discipline and commitment to the game are far more valuable than individual celebrity status or past achievements.
History and Evolution of the BCCI Central Contract
To understand the weight of this decision, one must look at the history of the BCCI Central Contract system. The A+ category was originally the brainchild of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed by the Supreme Court. It was created following persistent demands from Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli for a substantial hike in player wages to bring them in line with global standards. Initially, players like Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were also part of this elite circle. Currently, the board operates on a four-tier system: A+ (₹7 crore), A (₹5 crore), B (₹3 crore), and C (₹1 crore).
As Indian cricket enters this new transition phase, the administrative decisions are becoming as tough as the on-field battles. The potential demotion of legends like Rohit and Kohli serves as a symbolic passing of the torch to a younger generation. The upcoming Apex Council meeting will be a defining moment for the future of Indian cricket’s economic structure. Whether the senior players will accept these changes gracefully or if there will be further negotiations between the board and the players remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the era of guaranteed elite-category salaries is drawing to a close.
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