Indian cricket is all set to witness a major shake-up, as the BCCI is all set to overhaul its central contracts system ahead of the 2025–26 season. One of the biggest changes on the table is the removal of the elite A-plus category from the central contracts after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Test and T20I retirements.
A+ category no more? BCCI to revamp central contracts for 2025–26
Since the A-plus category was created mainly for players who regularly represent India in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, the BCCI feels the current system no longer fits the present situation of the national team, so they decided to remove that slab.
With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma no longer playing all three formats, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia revealed that the board felt there are not many multiformat players in the current setup, and that’s why they decided to remove that elite A-plus category from the central contracts.
Devajit Saikia was quoted as saying by Sportstar, “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.”
The top earners of last season
Earlier, players in the A-plus category used to earn ₹7 crore per year. Category A players received ₹5 crore, Category B players got ₹3 crore, and Category C players were paid ₹1 crore annually.
Last season, only four Indian players were part of the A-plus group, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Out of these four, Bumrah is now the only player who is still active in all three formats. Kohli and Rohit are now focused only on ODIs, while Jadeja has already retired from T20I cricket, but the all-rounder continues to play Tests and ODIs.
There is no heartburn: Devajit Saikia on removing A-plus category from central contracts
Devajit Saikia believes that there are not enough players who fit the strict A-plus criteria. As a result, one-format specialists will no longer be considered for the top contract slab under the revised system.
However, the BCCI has not announced the annual contracts for the next season. But it is confirmed that the Indian players will now be placed only in Categories A, B, and C in the upcoming contracts for the 2025–26 season that will be announced soon.
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Saikia further added, “Some of the players who were in that A-plus bracket have decided not to play in all three formats. Therefore, there are not enough players remaining to qualify and fulfil the eligibility criteria. A one-format player will not be eligible for A-plus, so that’s why we had to take a call. There is no heartburn.”
No paycut for Jasprit Bumrah
Despite the removal of the premium category, it is being said that there will be no pay cut for Bumrah, who plays all three formats for the Indian team. Even though he is managed carefully due to workload concerns and occasional breaks, he is expected to get a higher salary.
