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BCCI to Scrap A+ Contracts; Kohli, Rohit May Drop to Grade B

The BCCI is set to introduce a revised central contract system, discontinuing the top-tier A+ category. The proposed changes, recommended by the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar, would leave only three categories: A, B, and C. Under the new model, veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to be placed in Grade B. Final approval and monetary clarity are awaited from the BCCI's apex council.

Key Points: BCCI May Scrap A+ Grade, Kohli & Rohit in Grade B

  • A+ grade to be discontinued
  • Only A, B, C categories to remain
  • Kohli & Rohit likely in Grade B
  • Changes proposed by Ajit Agarkar committee
2 min read

BCCI likely to overhaul Annual Central Contracts, scrap A+ Grade; Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma may move to Grade B

BCCI likely to overhaul central contracts, discontinuing A+ grade. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could move to Grade B in the new structure.

"If the new model is approved by the board, Team India veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to be placed in Grade B - BCCI sources"

By Vipul Kashyap, New Delhi, January 20

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is set to introduce a revised central contract system, under which the Grade A+ category will be discontinued. If the new model is approved by the board, Team India veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to be placed in Grade B, according to BCCI sources.

The selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, has proposed changes to the central contract structure. The committee has recommended scrapping the A+ category (Rs 7 crore) and leaving only three categories: A, B, and C. Further clarity on the monetary changes and whether the BCCI will approve this new model is expected at the next apex council meeting.

If the proposed model is approved, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are currently exclusive ODI players, are likely to be placed in Category B.

BCCI Central Contracts are annual retainers awarded to Indian cricketers, categorised into A+, A, B, and C grades, with substantial yearly fees (Rs 7 crore for A+, Rs 5 crore for A, Rs 3 crore for B, and Rs 1 crore for C) in addition to match fees.

The 2024-25 list, announced in April 2025, features Rohit, Virat, Ravindra Jadeja and Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah in A+, while Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Team India Men's ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami and Rishabh Pant are placed in Grade A.

T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer find themselves in Grade B.

Grade C includes: Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Rajat Patidar, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Akash Deep, Varun Chakaravarthy and Harshit Rana.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally, a sensible move! The A+ category was creating an unnecessary elite club. Performance should be the only criteria, not past reputation. This will motivate younger players like Jaiswal and Gill who are playing all formats.
A
Aman W
Makes sense from a pure cricketing perspective. If you're only playing one format (ODIs), why should you be in the top pay bracket? Bumrah and Jadeja deserve to be in the highest grade as they are crucial across formats.
S
Sarah B
As a neutral observer, this seems like a logical business decision. It aligns pay with current workload and contribution to the team. The savings can be used to develop grassroots cricket, which is excellent for the sport's future in India.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I disagree with this potential demotion. Virat and Rohit brought billions of fans and revenue to Indian cricket. Their mentorship for the next generation is invaluable. This feels like forgetting their service. 😞
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Nikhil C
Good step. Transparency is key. Now we need to see the new monetary values for Grade A, B, C. Hope the match fees for Tests are increased further to encourage players to prioritize the longest format.

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