BCCI Set for Major Central Contract Overhaul: Kohli, Rohit Likely to Be Demoted as Bumrah Retains Top Status
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to announce a revamped central contracts list for the upcoming season, and the changes are expected to mark a significant shift in how player value is assessed within Indian cricket. As per emerging reports and internal discussions, the new contract framework will place a stronger emphasis on active participation across formats rather than reputation or past achievements. As a result, senior stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are likely to be demoted to a lower contract category, while Jasprit Bumrah is set to retain his elite status.
For several years, the BCCI’s central contracts have been divided into four categories — A+, A, B, and C — with the A+ grade reserved for players who consistently feature across all three formats and form the backbone of the national team. In the previous cycle, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja were part of this elite bracket.
However, the Indian cricket landscape has undergone notable changes in recent months. Both Kohli and Rohit have stepped away from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, choosing to focus solely on the ODI format. While their stature and influence remain unquestionable, their reduced format participation has prompted the BCCI to rethink the criteria for top-tier contracts.
According to sources close to the development, the BCCI is considering scrapping the A+ category altogether, leaving only A, B, and C grades. Under this revised structure, players who are not active in all three formats will no longer be eligible for the highest retainership bracket. As things stand, this policy change could see Kohli and Rohit placed in the A category, reflecting their limited but still significant involvement with the Indian team.
In contrast, Jasprit Bumrah continues to be an automatic selection across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is whenever fit. His workload is carefully managed, but his presence across formats makes him one of the most valuable assets in Indian cricket. Because of this, Bumrah is expected to remain in the top contract tier even if the grading system is restructured. BCCI officials have made it clear that players contributing consistently across formats will not face any reduction in their retainership.
The proposed changes underline a broader philosophical shift within Indian cricket administration. The BCCI appears keen on aligning its financial structure with modern-day realities, where workload management, format specialization, and future planning play a crucial role. The new system is designed to reward current contribution and availability, rather than legacy alone.
While many believe the move brings fairness and transparency to the contract system, it has also sparked debate. Critics argue that players like Kohli and Rohit, who have carried Indian cricket for more than a decade, deserve continued recognition at the highest level regardless of format count. Supporters, however, insist that central contracts should reflect present-day commitment and role clarity.
The final contracts list is expected to be approved in the BCCI’s upcoming Apex Council meeting. Once announced, it will not only redefine the financial hierarchy of Indian cricket but also send a clear message about the board’s priorities going forward — performance, participation, and long-term planning over legacy alone.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Headline | BCCI Set for Major Central Contract Overhaul: Kohli, Rohit Likely to Be Demoted as Bumrah Retains Top Status |
| Governing Body | Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) |
| Upcoming Action | Announcement of a revamped central contracts list for the upcoming season |
| Core Objective | Reassessing player value based on active participation across formats |
| Key Policy Shift | Greater emphasis on current format participation rather than reputation or past achievements |
| Existing Contract Structure | Four categories – A+, A, B, and C |
| Purpose of A+ Category | Reserved for players featuring consistently across all three formats |
| Players in A+ (Previous Cycle) | Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja |
| Recent Landscape Change | Senior players stepping away from multiple formats |
| Virat Kohli – Format Status | Playing only ODIs |
| Rohit Sharma – Format Status | Playing only ODIs |
| Reason for Possible Demotion | Reduced participation across formats |
| Proposed Structural Change | Possible scrapping of the A+ category |
| Revised Contract Categories | A, B, and C |
| Eligibility for Top Tier (New System) | Players active across all three formats |
| Likely Contract Category for Kohli & Rohit | A Category |
| Reason for A Category Placement | Limited but significant involvement with the Indian team |
| Jasprit Bumrah – Format Involvement | Active in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is |
| Bumrah’s Selection Status | Automatic selection whenever fit |
| Bumrah’s Contract Outlook | Expected to retain top contract tier |
| BCCI’s Stand on Multi-format Players | No reduction in retainership for consistent all-format contributors |
| Broader Administrative Philosophy | Aligning contracts with modern cricket realities |
| Key Focus Areas | Workload management, format specialization, future planning |
| Underlying Reward Principle | Current contribution and availability |
| Debate Around the Decision | Fairness vs recognition of legacy |
| Critics’ View | Senior legends deserve top recognition regardless of format count |
| Supporters’ View | Contracts should reflect present-day commitment and role clarity |
| Approval Authority | BCCI Apex Council |
| Expected Outcome | Redefining financial hierarchy in Indian cricket |
| Message from BCCI | Performance, participation, and long-term planning over legacy |
The post BCCI News: Kohli and Rohit all set to be dropped from A+ Contracts; Bumrah to remain in A+ appeared first on Sportzcraazy.
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