The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to introduce significant changes to its annual central contracts for the 2025-26 season, with the elite A+ category being discontinued, according to reports.
Veteran stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, previously in the top A+ bracket, are now slated for placement in the B category. India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will also feature in the same group.
As cited by only three players—Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja—will occupy the highest tier, now designated as Group A.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, in comments to Sportstar, attributed the removal of the A+ category to the recent retirements of Kohli and Rohit from limited-overs and Test formats. Both players retired from T20Is following India’s 2024 World Cup triumph and later stepped away from Tests, restricting their participation to ODIs only.
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Under the previous structure, A+ category players earned Rs 7 crore annually. Grade A carried a retainer of Rs 5 crore per year, Grade B Rs 3 crore, and Grade C Rs 1 crore. The elimination of the premium bracket is expected to influence the overall pay framework, though specific revised amounts for the upcoming contracts remain unconfirmed in reports.
The adjustments reflect the board’s emphasis on active participation across formats when determining top-tier placements. Gill (who captains in Tests and ODIs), Bumrah (India’s lead pacer), and Jadeja (a versatile all-rounder) stand out as the sole incumbents in the premier group for their multi-format contributions.
Rohit and Kohli, widely regarded as modern icons of the game, see their category downgraded in line with their reduced international commitments. The BCCI, guided by national selectors’ recommendations, is anticipated to formally release the complete list of contracted players shortly, covering around 30 individuals across the revised categories.
This restructuring signals a generational transition in Indian cricket’s reward system, aligning retainers more closely with current playing roles while preserving financial recognition for established performers.
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