Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 18: The Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to revisit its central contract structure after scrapping the A+ category last month, a move that has raised concerns over a potential pay cut for key players.

The board had removed the top A+ grade citing a lack of sufficient all-format players, following retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Tests and T20Is, and Ravindra Jadeja stepping away from T20Is.

However, Jasprit Bumrah continues to feature across all three formats, and the decision has effectively pushed him from the A+ bracket (?7 crore) to Grade A (?5 crore), resulting in a potential Rs 2 crore reduction in pay.

Bumrah has consistently held an A+ contract since the 2018–19 season, and sources indicate the board is exploring ways to compensate him and avoid what is being seen as an unfair downgrade.

According to reports, the BCCI has not officially disclosed the value of player contracts for the current season, and players are yet to be formally informed about their revised earnings. A board source said discussions are underway to reassess contract valuations, noting that a few performers appear to have been downgraded despite consistent contributions.

Meanwhile, Axar Patel has also emerged as a case in point. Despite being a regular across formats, he remains in Grade C, which carries an annual retainer of Rs 1 crore.

The development has triggered debate over the fairness and structure of the current central contract system, with a revision likely in the coming weeks.