BCCI Update: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma get a big blow from BCCI, decision will be made from B category
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has started preparing for a major change in its central contract system. The selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar has advised completely removing the A+ category from the four-tier annual retainership system. This decision could be a big shock to veteran players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah. These recommendations have become a topic of discussion among cricket fans even before the new contract list for 2025-2026 is announced.
According to the proposal submitted by the selection committee to the BCCI, if the A+ category is discontinued, players currently in this category are likely to be directly pushed to the A or B category. Currently, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah, who are in A+, receive an annual remuneration of seven crore rupees. However, if this category is discontinued, they will have to be accommodated in the five crore or three crore category. The BCCI has not yet contracted with any senior player. This proposal will be discussed at the board's next council meeting, where the final decision will be made.
The BCCI's contract system is based on four categories. A+ category players receive an annual salary of seven crore, A category receives five crore, B category receives three crore, and C category receives one crore rupees. Currently, the A category includes Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, and Mohammed Shami. The B category includes players like Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Kuldeep Yadav. The C category is the largest, including many such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravi Bishnoi, Shivam Dube, Rajat Patil, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, and Akash Deep.
This change will impact the role and financial status of senior players in Indian cricket. This advice from the selection committee is based on the consistent performance and role of the players in the team. Cricket enthusiasts are now waiting for the board meeting's decision and the new contract list. If this decision is implemented, there is a possibility of more opportunities for young players.