Indian cricket is going through a quiet but significant change and this time, it’s not about performances on the field but paychecks off it.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is reportedly reworking its player salary structure for the 2025–26 season. The biggest surprise? The top-tier A+ category, once reserved for the absolute best, may be removed entirely.
Last season, stars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja were part of this elite group, earning Rs 7 crore annually. But the criteria to stay in that category are strict, a player must consistently play all the three formats and rank among the top 10 in at least one.
That’s where things changed. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now focusing only on ODI format and Ravindra Jadeja stepping away from T20 internationals, Jasprit Bumrah was left as the only player meeting the requirements. Instead of keeping the category for one player, the board chose to scrap it altogether.
As a result, Jasprit Bumrah has been shifted to Grade A, where the annual pay drops to Rs 5 crore. However, this move hasn’t gone unnoticed. Reports suggest the board is considering ways to ensure that consistent performers like Jasprit Bumrah don’t actually lose money despite the restructuring.
In simple terms, officials are trying to keep things fair. They believe players who have performed well across formats shouldn’t face a pay cut just because the system changed. So, adjustments or compensations may be introduced to balance things out.
Another interesting case is Axar Patel. Despite being a key part of India’s white-ball squads and even serving as T20I vice-captain, he has been placed in Grade C, which offers Rs 1 crore. This has raised questions, especially since he seemed to meet earlier criteria for a higher grade.
Overall, 30 players received central contracts this time. Only three — Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja are in Grade A, while most others fall into lower categories.
With the BCCI yet to officially clarify the new pay structure, one thing is clear: Indian cricket’s contract system is evolving and not everyone is convinced it’s fair just yet.
Let’s see how the BCCI will rework its structure in order to avoid any injustice with Jasprit Bumrah.
