The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a significant overhaul of its central contracts system, a move that could see senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma demoted from their current top-tier status. According to sources cited in reports, the proposed restructuring aims to simplify the existing grading framework and better align contracts with players’ current formats and availability.
Under the revised model, the BCCI selection committee, led by former India pacer Ajit Agarkar, has recommended scrapping the A+ category, which currently carries an annual retainer of ₹7 crore. Instead, the board may move to a three-tier system consisting of Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C. If approved, this change would directly impact players who no longer feature across all formats on a regular basis.
As per the proposal, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are now largely limited to One-Day Internationals, are expected to be placed in Grade B. This would mark a notable shift from their current A+ status and reflects the committee’s emphasis on multi-format participation and workload management rather than legacy or past achievements.
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At present, BCCI central contracts are awarded annually, with retainers of ₹7 crore for A+, ₹5 crore for Grade A, ₹3 crore for Grade B, and ₹1 crore for Grade C, in addition to match fees. The 2024–25 contracts list, announced in April 2025, included Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah in the A+ category, while several all-format regulars featured in grades A and B.
The proposed changes would also eliminate the distinction between A+ and A, potentially reshaping how elite cricketers are compensated. Players such as Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, and Rishabh Pant currently occupy Grade A, while T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and others are placed in Grade B.
Final clarity on the revised structure, including updated pay scales, is expected during the next BCCI Apex Council meeting. If approved, the new system would represent one of the most significant contract reforms in recent years, underlining the board’s intent to prioritise current contribution and format commitment over reputation alone.
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