Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a significant overhaul of its central contract system, a move that could reshape the way India’s top cricketers are categorised and compensated. According to sources within the board, the revised model proposes the discontinuation of the existing Grade A category, potentially resulting in senior players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma being placed in Grade B if the changes are approved.

The proposal has been put forward by the senior men’s selection committee, headed by former India pacer Ajit Agarkar. The recommendations are expected to be discussed in detail at the BCCI’s next apex council meeting, where a final decision will be taken on whether to implement the new structure.

Proposed changes to central contract structure

Under the current system, BCCI central contracts are divided into four categories — A+, A, B and C — each carrying a fixed annual retainer in addition to match fees. At present, Grade A+ players receive ₹7 crore annually, Grade A players ₹5 crore, Grade B players ₹3 crore, and Grade C players ₹1 crore.

However, the selection committee has proposed scrapping the top-most A+ category altogether and restructuring the system into only three grades: A, B and C. According to sources, the existing Grade A category may also be reworked or discontinued, effectively redefining how elite and senior players are grouped.

While the precise financial implications of the new model have not yet been made public, officials indicated that the revised pay slabs would reflect a player’s current format commitments, workload and performance rather than legacy status alone.

Impact on senior players like Kohli and Rohit

If the proposed system comes into force, senior veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are likely to be placed in Grade B. Both players are currently active primarily in the One Day International (ODI) format, having stepped away from T20 Internationals and playing limited Test cricket in recent seasons.

Sources within the BCCI suggested that the revised model aims to align contracts more closely with active participation across formats, particularly Test and T20 cricket, which the board sees as crucial for India’s long-term international commitments and commercial obligations.

“Central contracts are being reviewed with an eye on current contribution and availability,” a source said, adding that the board wants to ensure fairness while also encouraging players to remain available across formats where possible.

Current central contract list

The most recent BCCI central contract list for the 2024–25 season was announced in April 2025. At that time, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah were placed in the elite A+ category.

Grade A included Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill — India’s ODI and Test captain — Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami and Rishabh Pant.

Grade B featured T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav along with Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer.

Grade C comprised a large pool of emerging and fringe players, including Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan and several others.

The proposed revamp would require a complete reassessment of this list, potentially altering the financial landscape for a number of high-profile cricketers.

Rationale behind the revamp

According to officials familiar with the discussions, the motivation behind the changes is to modernise the contract system in line with evolving team requirements. With player workloads increasing due to packed international calendars and the Indian Premier League (IPL), the BCCI is keen to reward players who consistently make themselves available for national duty.

The board is also believed to be factoring in long-term planning, especially with major tournaments such as the ICC Champions Trophy, World Test Championship cycle and future ICC events on the horizon.

“The idea is not to downgrade anyone, but to make the system more transparent and performance-oriented,” a senior official said, while emphasising that no final decision has yet been taken.

Awaiting approval from apex council

The final call on the revised central contract model rests with the BCCI apex council. Until the proposal is formally approved, the existing contract structure remains in place.

Cricketing circles are closely watching the developments, as any change involving stalwarts like Kohli and Rohit is bound to spark debate among fans and former players alike.

Conclusion

If approved, the proposed overhaul of BCCI’s central contracts would mark one of the most significant administrative shifts in recent years. By potentially scrapping the Grade A category and redefining player compensation, the board appears intent on aligning financial rewards with present-day contributions rather than past achievements. The coming apex council meeting is expected to provide clarity on whether this bold restructuring will become a reality.