BCCI Scraps A-Plus Contract Category: Kohli, Rohit's Format Retirements Force Major Policy Overhaul

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing a significant overhaul of its Men's annual central contracts framework, with the prestigious A-plus category likely to be discontinued for the upcoming 2025-26 season. This landmark decision reflects the changing landscape of Indian cricket, where senior stalwarts have scaled back their international commitments across formats.

Why the A-Plus Category Is Being Suspended

The primary catalyst for this restructuring stems from the evolving availability of India's top cricketers. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two pillars of Indian cricket for over a decade, are now available exclusively for One Day Internationals after stepping away from Tests and T20Is.

Under the current contract framework, the hierarchy stands as follows:

• A-Plus Category: INR 7 crore annual retainer
• Category A: INR 5 crore annual retainer
• Category B: INR 3 crore annual retainer
• Category C: INR 1 crore annual retainer

For the next cycle, the BCCI is expected to operate with only A, B, and C categories, effectively putting the top tier on hold.

The Shrinking Pool of All-Format Players

Last season, only four players occupied the elite A-plus bracket: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. However, the current scenario tells a different story:

• Jasprit Bumrah: The only player still active across all three formats
• Virat Kohli: Now an ODI-only cricketer
• Rohit Sharma: Also transitioned to ODI-only status
• Ravindra Jadeja: Continues in Tests and ODIs after retiring from T20Is following the 2024 T20 World Cup

With A-plus eligibility intrinsically linked to all-format availability, the qualifying pool has dwindled to essentially one player, making the category's continuation impractical.

BCCI's Rationale: Aligning Structure with Reality

Board sources have clarified that this move is driven by practical necessity rather than any intention to diminish individual players' stature. The central contracts system must reflect current realities, and one-format specialists simply cannot qualify for a tier designed to reward all-format commitment and availability.

This pragmatic approach ensures the contract structure remains meaningful and incentivizes players who shoulder responsibilities across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Bumrah's Position Remains Secure

Despite the structural changes, Jasprit Bumrah is not expected to see any reduction in his earnings. The premier fast bowler remains absolutely central to India's plans across all formats and continues to spearhead the pace attack.

The BCCI has been carefully managing Bumrah's workload through selective rest and rotation policies, recognizing his irreplaceable value to the team. His unique position as India's only all-format superstar ensures he will continue to be compensated at the highest level, regardless of how the categories are restructured.

What Lies Ahead

The BCCI is expected to formally announce the list of centrally contracted players for the 2025-26 season in the coming weeks. The revised categories will reflect both format commitments and workload considerations, potentially introducing new criteria that better align with how modern cricketers manage their international careers.

Key Questions Going Forward

• Will the BCCI introduce new criteria for the A category to bridge the gap left by A-plus?
• How will emerging all-format players be incentivized to maintain availability across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is?
• Could the A-plus category return if more players commit to all three formats?

This restructuring marks a significant moment in Indian cricket administration, acknowledging the reality that the era of players dominating all formats simultaneously may be giving way to a more specialized approach to international cricket.