Why is BCCI's 2025-26 central contract not fair to many players? Know here

BCCI has named 30 players in their central contracts for the 2025-26 season.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the central contracts for Indian players for the 2025-26 season. The governing body has given contracts to a total of 30 men’s players.

The BCCI has removed the Grade A+ category from their contracts this time, which was reserved for players who used to play all three formats. In the latest contracts, there are only three categories- Grade A, B, and C. Three players are a part of the top category, Grade A.

A total of 11 players are placed in Grade B, 16 players have been named in Grade C. Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja are the three players in Grade A and will earn the highest salaries. However, the category selection of several players is incomprehensible. Let’s discuss their selection here.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli demoted in BCCI’s central contracts for 2025-26

Notably, Indian legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been demoted in the latest contracts and added to Group B. They are part of Grade A+ in the previous contracts. After announcing their retirements from test cricket last year, both the former Indian captains are only active in the ODI format.

Since Rohit and Kohli will only play one format in the future, their removal from the top grade seems justified. However, there are a few players whose addition in various categories looks unfair.

Ravindra Jadeja

For instance, Ravindra Jadeja has been added to the Grade A, although he is only regular in test cricket. The Indian all-rounder announced his retirement from the T20I format in 2024.

Although he is active in the 50-over format, he is mostly preferred in the home campaigns. He might soon lose his place in the 50-over format and is highly likely to be overlooked for the ODI World Cup next year. Therefore, his selection in Grade A is not justified.

Axar Patel

Another example is of Axar Patel, who is placed in Grade C. With his excellence in both batting and bowling, he is a crucial all-rounder for India. Also, he represents the national team in all three formats.

He is also the vice-captain in T20Is in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Hence, he is likely to lead India as T20I captain in the future. As a result, he deserves a better Grade in the central contracts.

Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan made his return to the T20I team this year after a gap of more than two years. The wicket-keeper batter has been picked in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad and has been promoted as the opener.

Although he was initially picked as a secondary wicket-keeper for the World Cup, his impeccable performances in New Zealand T20Is forced the management to make him a permanent member of the playing XI.

With the kind of form Kishan has shown in recent times, the left-handed batsman can cement his place as the first-choice wicket-keeper batter in the T20I team in the future. Despite this fact, BCCI did not add him to their central contracts.

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