BCCI Announces Revised Central Contracts: Kohli and Rohit Shifted to Grade B
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled its latest central contract list for the 2023-24 season, introducing significant changes that have sent ripples through the cricketing community. In a notable move, star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been downgraded from the elite Grade A+ category to Grade B. This decision reflects their evolving roles within the Indian cricket team, particularly in the T20 International format.
Contract Grades and Financial Implications
The BCCI's central contract system is structured into four primary grades, each with distinct annual retainership fees:
- Grade A+: ₹7 crore
- Grade A: ₹5 crore
- Grade B: ₹3 crore
- Grade C: ₹1 crore
By moving Kohli and Rohit to Grade B, their annual retainership has been reduced from ₹7 crore to ₹3 crore. This adjustment is largely attributed to their limited participation in T20Is, as both players have not featured in the format since the 2022 T20 World Cup. The BCCI's selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, emphasized that contract grades are now closely tied to active involvement across all three formats of the game.
Notable Exclusions and Promotions
In addition to the downgrades, the BCCI has made several other impactful decisions. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan have been excluded from the central contract list entirely due to their failure to participate in domestic cricket matches despite being fit. This move underscores the board's strict stance on prioritizing domestic commitments.
On a positive note, young talents have been rewarded for their performances. Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma have been promoted to Grade C, recognizing their contributions in limited-overs cricket. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami retains his place in Grade A despite being sidelined with an injury, highlighting his value to the team.
Full List of Contracted Players
The BCCI has awarded central contracts to a total of 30 players for the 2023-24 season. The complete breakdown is as follows:
- Grade A+ (4 players): Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Siraj
- Grade A (6 players): KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami
- Grade B (5 players): Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shardul Thakur
- Grade C (15 players): Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Avesh Khan, Rajat Patidar, Mukesh Kumar, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, KS Bharat, Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Yuzvendra Chahal
The revised contract list signals a strategic shift by the BCCI, placing greater emphasis on current form, fitness, and commitment to domestic cricket. It also paves the way for emerging players to secure more prominent roles within the national setup.
