The BCCI Central Contract 2026 for the 2025–26 season brings one of the biggest structural changes in recent years. In a major overhaul, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has scrapped the elite A+ category and introduced a three-tier contract system.
The move signals a clear shift toward rewarding current performance, workload, and multi-format availability, rather than past achievements. The restructuring also marks a transition phase, with senior stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma moved down to Group B.
New BCCI Contract Structure (2025–26)
The previous four-grade system has been replaced with a three-group model:
| Contract Group | Status |
|---|---|
| Group A | Top-tier players across formats or leadership roles |
| Group B | Senior and key multi-format or format-specific players |
| Group C | Emerging players and squad regulars |
The removal of the ₹7 crore A+ bracket reflects the board’s effort to align contracts with current involvement in international cricket.
Major Highlights of BCCI Central Contract 2026
A+ Category Scrapped
The biggest change is the complete removal of the A+ category, which earlier included India’s all-format superstars.
Kohli and Rohit Moved to Group B
Both legends have stepped away from Tests and T20Is, focusing mainly on ODIs. Their reduced multi-format role is the primary reason for their shift to Group B.
Focus on Multi-Format Availability
Players actively contributing across formats or leading the national team have been placed in the top bracket.
Transition Toward the Next Generation
The new list reflects India’s long-term planning, with younger players earning central roles in the structure.
Group A Players (Top Tier)
The highest category now features only three names:
- Shubman Gill
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Ravindra Jadeja
Key Insight:
Shubman Gill’s inclusion at the top highlights his growing leadership role and importance across formats.
Group B Players
This group includes senior players, key performers, and multi-format regulars.
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Washington Sundar
- KL Rahul
- Hardik Pandya
- Mohammed Siraj
- Rishabh Pant
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shreyas Iyer
What stands out:
This category balances experience and core team players who remain central to India’s plans.
Group C Players
Group C focuses on emerging talents and players regularly part of India’s squad rotation.
- Axar Patel
- Tilak Varma
- Rinku Singh
- Shivam Dube
- Sanju Samson
- Arshdeep Singh
- Prasidh Krishna
- Akash Deep
- Dhruv Jurel
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sai Sudharsan
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
This group reflects the strong bench strength and India’s future talent pool.
What the New Contract System Indicates
Merit Over Reputation
The restructuring shows that current match involvement and performance now carry more weight than past legacy.
Leadership and Workload Matter
Players handling leadership responsibilities or playing across formats have been rewarded with higher placement.
Financial Alignment with Modern Cricket
By removing the top bracket, the BCCI aims to keep the contract system aligned with modern workload patterns and format specialization.
The BCCI Central Contract 2026 reflects a clear transition phase in Indian cricket. With the removal of the A+ category and a sharper focus on present contributions, the board has emphasized performance, availability, and future planning. While legends like Kohli and Rohit remain key figures, the new structure highlights the rise of a new core led by Shubman Gill, marking the beginning of a fresh era for Team India.
FAQs
1. Has the A+ category been removed?
Yes, the A+ category has been completely scrapped for the 2025–26 contract cycle.
2. Who are in the top Group A?
Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja are the only players in Group A.
3. Why are Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Group B?
Both players are currently focused mainly on ODIs and are no longer active across all formats.
4. How many groups are there now?
The new structure includes three groups: A, B, and C.
5. What is the main focus of the new system?
The system prioritizes multi-format availability, workload, and current performance.
