The selection committee has recommended scrapping the A+ category (Rs 7 crore) and leaving only three categories: A, B, and C
Team India (Pic: File Pic)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to introduce a revised central contract system, under which the Grade A+ category will likely be discontinued.
If the new model is approved by the board, then Team India stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will likely be placed in the Grade B category, according to the BCCI sources.
The selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, has proposed changes to the central contract structure. The committee has recommended scrapping the A+ category (Rs 7 crore) and leaving only three categories: A, B, and C. Further clarity on the monetary changes and whether the BCCI will approve this new model is expected at the next apex council meeting.
BCCI Central Contracts are annual retainers awarded to Indian cricketers, categorised into A+, A, B, and C grades, with substantial yearly fees (Rs 7 crore for A+, Rs 5 crore for A, Rs 3 crore for B, and Rs 1 crore for C) in addition to match fees.
The 2024-25 list, announced in April 2025, includes Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah in the A+ category. Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami and Rishabh Pant are placed in the Grade A category.
Grade B category consists of players such as Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer.
Grade C includes Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Rajat Patidar, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Akash Deep, Varun Chakaravarthy and Harshit Rana.
Team India's upcoming assignments
The "Men in Blue" under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav will clash against New Zealand for the five-match T20I series. The first T20I match between the two teams is scheduled to be played on January 21 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
The contest will serve as a preparatory series for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Team India will begin their global showpiece campaign against the United States of America on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
(With ANI Inputs)
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