Introduction
In a testament to the unwavering support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selectors, Virat Kohli retains his Grade A+ contract, even during a period of unavailability due to personal reasons. This move solidifies Kohli’s standing as a cornerstone player for the Indian cricket team. The BCCI, in its latest round of central contracts, has showcased its commitment by categorizing 30 players into four distinct grades.
Grade A+ – The Pinnacle
The apex of the contract hierarchy, Grade A+, offers a lucrative Rs 7 crore. This exclusive tier features only four exceptional players, namely Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. These cricketers, who contribute across all three formats, continue to command the highest remuneration.
Grade A – Elite Six
Grade A, with a reward of Rs 5 crore, accommodates six players, expanding from the previous five. R Ashwin, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya form this elite group. Noteworthy is the inclusion of Rahul, Siraj, and Gill, who have moved up from Grade B in the previous season.
Grade B – Rising Stars
Featuring a roster of five players, Grade B comes with a financial incentive of Rs 3 crore. Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal make up this dynamic category. It’s interesting to observe Axar’s demotion from Grade A to Grade B, signaling the competitive nature of Indian cricket.
Grade C – Emerging Talent
With a reward of Rs 1 crore, Grade C includes a diverse set of 15 players. Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaekwad, Shardul Thakur, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, KS Bharat, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, and Rajat Patidar form the emerging talent pool.
Notable Shifts and Entrants
- Rishabh Pant moves from Grade A to Grade B, showcasing the selectors’ belief in his potential despite missing international action due to a car accident.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Verma, Rinku Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, and Shivam Dube secure contracts, while seasoned players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane miss out post their Test team exclusion.
- Suryakumar Yadav retains his Grade B status, while Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Yadav, and Axar Patel are the new additions to this category, with Axar experiencing a downgrade.
Conclusion
As the BCCI aligns contracts with performance and potential, the latest central contracts list reflects a balance between rewarding established stars and nurturing emerging talent. The commitment to excellence is evident, ensuring that the financial structure correlates with the players’ contributions to Indian cricket across different formats.
