 "Why is BCCI removing A-plus category from its central contracts? Secretary Devajit Saikia explains")
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is planning to remove the A-plus category from its central contracts system for the upcoming retainership cycle. And according to board secretary Devajit Saikia, it is the lack of eligible players for the category that is the reason behind the decision.
The BCCI currently has four categories in its central contracts system – A+, A, B and C, which are currently valued at Rs 7 crore, Rs 5 crore, Rs 3 crore and Rs 1 crore respectively. Saikia, however, revealed recently that the A-plus category will be abandoned entirely since there aren’t enough players who play all three formats.
“The plan will go ahead very soon. We are removing one category because the players who were eligible for the A-plus category are now playing just one of the three formats. The criteria we have set to qualify a player for A-plus are not being fulfilled,” Saikia told Sportstar.
Bumrah only eligible player left in A-plus category
Former India captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were part of the top category along with senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
Rohit and Kohli, however, have since retired from Tests as well as T20Is, and play on ODIs. Jadeja had retired from the T20I format along with the two batting stalwarts after helping the Men in Blue win the 2024 T20 World Cup.
India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill had recently made his return to Twenty20 Internationals during the Asia Cup, and was seen as the next all-formats superstar for the country. The 26-year-old, however, was left out of India’s squad for the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand as well as the T20 World Cup.
Bumrah, thus, is the only player eligible for A-plus category – not only does he play all three formats, he also has the performance and stature deserving of such an elite group. The BCCI secretary, however, added that a separate category cannot be made just for one player, as a result of which it will be done away with for now.
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View All“Some of the players who were in that A-plus bracket have decided not to play in all three formats. Therefore, there are not enough players remaining to qualify and fulfil the eligibility criteria.
“A one-format player will not be eligible for A-plus, so that’s why we had to take a call. There is no heartburn,” Saikia added.
The removal of the A-plus category, however, will not translate to a pay cut for Bumrah, i.e. he will continue to be paid Rs 7 crore by the board.
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