BCCI Considers Major Contract Restructure, Kohli and Rohit Face Downgrade
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is planning a significant overhaul of its central contract system. This move could impact two of India's most celebrated cricketers, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. According to sources, the BCCI may eliminate the top-tier A+ category entirely.
Proposal to Simplify Contract Categories
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has put forward this proposal. They suggest reducing the current four-tier system to just three categories: A, B, and C. This structural change aims to streamline the contract framework for Indian cricketers.
If approved, senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would likely move from Grade A+ to Grade B. Both players currently occupy the highest category alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah.
Limited-Format Status Influences Decision
Kohli and Sharma now play only one format, ODIs, having retired from Tests and T20Is. Their limited-format participation is a key factor in the proposed downgrade. The new model places greater emphasis on multi-format players for top categories.
The final decision on these changes, including any adjustments to contract values, will likely occur at the next BCCI apex council meeting. The council last met online on December 22, 2025, where central contract revisions were scheduled for discussion.
Current Contract Values and Player Grades
Under the existing system, central contracts provide annual retainers of ₹7 crore for A+, ₹5 crore for A, ₹3 crore for B, and ₹1 crore for C. Players also receive match fees when selected for squads.
The 2024–25 contract list, announced in April 2025, categorizes players as follows:
- Grade A+: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah
- Grade A: Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant
- Grade B: Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer
- Grade C: Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Ishan Kishan
Earnings Comparison: Then and Now
When Kohli and Sharma played all three formats, their match fees were substantially higher. They earned ₹15 lakh per Test match, ₹6 lakh per ODI, and ₹3 lakh per T20I. Their current ODI-only participation reduces these earnings significantly.
However, both players maintain substantial income from the Indian Premier League. Virat Kohli has earned approximately ₹212.44 crore from IPL contracts since 2008. His salary rose from ₹12 crore in early seasons to ₹21 crore in 2025.
Rohit Sharma follows closely, with over ₹194 crore earned from IPL alone. The Mumbai Indians retained him for ₹16.3 crore in the 2025 season.
Broader Agenda for BCCI Meeting
The upcoming apex council meeting will address several important issues beyond central contracts. Higher pay for domestic women cricketers stands as a major talking point. Discussions will also cover reviews of umpire fees, match officials, and digital platforms across various departments nationwide.
This potential contract restructuring reflects the BCCI's ongoing efforts to modernize its systems and align player compensation with current participation levels. The cricket community awaits the council's final decision with keen interest.
