Major Grade Realignments
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced its central contracts for the 2025-26 season, a period spanning from October
1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. This year's announcement has generated considerable discussion due to the notable demotion of veteran cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both have been placed in Grade B, a significant shift from their previous standings. Conversely, key players who have consistently delivered for the Indian teams, including Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja for the men's side, have maintained their positions in the elite Grade A category. For the women's team, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, along with star players Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma, also feature prominently in the top tier, reflecting their sustained excellence and crucial roles within the squad.
Grade C Spotlight
The Grade C category for the men's team presents the most extensive roster, showcasing a blend of promising young talent and players who specialize in specific formats of the game. This segment includes notable names such as Axar Patel, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, among others who have earned their place. The BCCI has also extended recognition to younger cricketers who have impressed with their consistent performances and potential. Players like Dhruv Jurel, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Sai Sudharsan have been rewarded with central contracts, indicating the board's focus on nurturing future talent and rewarding consistent domestic and international contributions. This broad inclusion signifies a strategic approach to building depth across all formats.
Women's Squad Inclusions
The BCCI's central contracts for the women's team also highlight a mix of established performers and emerging talents. Players such as Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh, Sneh Rana, Yastika Bhatia, and Harleen Deol have secured contracts within Grades B and C, acknowledging their ongoing contributions to the team's success across various formats. Furthermore, the board has extended central contracts to newer faces who have recently made an impact or shown significant promise. This includes players like Uma Chetry, Kranti Gaud, and Kashvee Gautam, who will be part of the contracted group for the upcoming season. These inclusions underscore the BCCI's commitment to broadening the pool of talent and providing opportunities for the next generation of female cricketers to develop and represent the country.
Contractual Framework
While the BCCI has not yet officially confirmed any alterations to the payment structure for the 2025-26 central contracts, the previous season's (2024-25) contract earnings provide a clear benchmark. Under that structure, players in Grade A received an annual remuneration of ₹5 crore. Those in Grade B were entitled to ₹3 crore per annum, and players in Grade C earned ₹1 crore annually. This tiered system has been the standard for recognizing player value and contribution. The Grade B list for the 2025-26 season specifically includes prominent players like Washington Sundar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Hardik Pandya, highlighting the financial implications associated with their respective contract grades. The anticipation remains high regarding whether the financial figures will see an upward revision for the current contract period.
