BCCI rethinks contracts! Jasprit Bumrah to receive compensation after A+ category removal: Reports

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering revising the 2025-26 central contract valuations to compensate top performers like Jasprit Bumrah. Following the removal of the A+ category, the fast bowler faces a potential pay cut from Rs 7 cr to Rs 5 cr due to changes in grades.

Last month, the board awarded annual contracts to 30 men’s and 21 women’s cricketers, dividing them into Groups A, B, and C. The A+ category has been removed from the contract structure. Senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who play only ODIs, have been placed in Group B under the revised system.

BCCI Likely to Revisit Contract Structure After Scrapping A+ Category

The BCCI removed the A+ category, citing an insufficient number of players. However, the board may be compelled to revisit the existing valuation structure to ensure consistent performers do not lose the money they received until last year.

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Jasprit Bumrah has received Grade A+ contracts since the inception of the tier during the 2018-19 season. Under the previous system, Grade A+ players received Rs 7 crore per annum. Meanwhile, Grade A, B, and C players received Rs 5 crore, Rs 3 crore, and Rs 1 crore, respectively.

While announcing this year’s retainership, the BCCI did not mention the salary for each category, and the players have not yet been officially informed about the value of their contracts.

Grade A+ was for players commanding a place in all three formats. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from two formats, and Ravindra Jadeja stepping away from T20Is, the board was left with only Jasprit Bumrah. Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja feature in Grade A.

BCCI Looks to Protect Jasprit Bumrah After Grade A Placement

Jasprit Bumrah has been placed in Grade A despite performing across all three international formats. According to a Times of India report, the board is looking for ways to avoid unfairly penalizing their premier bowler.

“The board is trying to figure out how Bumrah can be compensated. It is understandable that it will be unfair to slash his fees from Rs 7 cr to Rs 5 cr. There are some other players also who seem to have moved down a grade despite being performers. There could be a revision in the valuation of the contracts,” a BCCI source told TOI.

Axar Patel’s Grade C Deal Raises Eyebrows Amid Contract Shake-Up

Another heavily debated name is T20I vice-captain Axar Patel. Despite being an integral part of India’s white-ball setup during the 2024-25 season, he was handed a Grade C contract, a tier previously valued at Rs 1 crore.

Axar finished 2025 at No. 11 rank among T20I all-rounders and played a key role in India’s recent success. Based on his performances, he appeared to meet multiple selection criteria, making a Grade B contract a strong possibility.

Alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Axar, several other consistent performers also faced unexpected demotions.

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