Virat and Rohit may face a significant financial loss after a major overhaul of the BCCI contract system. The apex body of cricket is making headlines for another groundbreaking decision after their ODI loss against the Kiwis.
As reported by ANI, India’s selection committee head, Ajit Agarkar, recently proposed rescinding the A+ category designation. The A+ categories will be effectively merged into the broader A category. If the Apex Council approves of this proposal, the new structure will be introduced with only three tiers, A, B and C, respectively. This decision will come with a dismissal note for the Rs 7 Crore bracket of the Indian team, which is enjoyed by Kohli, Rohit, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
With this revamped framework, Kohli and Rohit are expected to transition to Grade B. A strategic implication stemming from the cricketer’s shift to being ODI-exclusive players following their departure from Test cricket. The apex board is yet to discuss the final meeting on this financial slab. The current slab remains unchanged, with a static structure of Rs 5 crore for Category A, Rs 3 crore for Category B, and Rs 1 crore for Category C, excluding match fees.
Usually, BCCI proposes the contract change around February or March; the process will be a little advanced this year after the tragic defeats in the ODI and Test Series. According to the reports, the model promotes flexibility. It opened windows for the promotions.
Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain, most certainly will be placed in the top tier. Also, the multi-format cricketers like Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel and Harshit Rana will be open for growth as well. On the other hand, the two Bengal bowlers, Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar, might be excluded from the BCCI 2025-26 central contract. As Shami hasn’t appeared donning a blue jersey since March, while Mukesh’s last match was in July 2024.
