The Big Update on BCCI Contracts could bring significant changes for senior cricketers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja. Once key figures in Indian cricket, their absence from T20Is since the last match might lead to contract downgrades. As speculation grows, all eyes are on the Big Update on BCCI Contracts and its impact on these star players.
Today, Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja receive an A grade-plus contract among the deals awarded by BCCI. It is the best grade that has been created for regular players in all three formats of the game: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. As they have quit playing in T20Is, there are chances of BCCI downgrading the trio to Grade A level, which is one position below the elite A+ level.
In that case, their annual compensation would decrease from ₹7 crore (Grade A+) to ₹5 crore (Grade A). It is this that BCCI reduces players’ self-worth if they are not involved in all formats. This shift would not affect their reputation or spoil the overall horde of endorsement and league cricket; it speaks otherwise.
Typically, BCCI reveals the central contracts before one can even flip over a calendar month into an IPL season. However, the board this time has changed course to announce the same post-Champions Trophy. The reason for it? They want to evaluate the performances of senior players in this tournament before making a final decision. In the event the aforementioned trio performs well, their contracts will remain with the top-tier contracts. However, in the opposite case, a downgrade would likely be on the cards.
In contrast, speedster Jasprit Bumrah is still playing across all formats and is expected to continue with his Grade A+ status. Another interesting case is that of Shreyas Iyer. He was not included in the central contracts the previous year over disciplinary issues but may be back this time due to good run domestic performances and at the Champions Trophy.
This possible demotion of Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja has triggered debates among fans. Some argue that their contributions to Indian cricket are enough to retain them in the top bracket; others feel that the BCCI is right in rewarding only the multi-format players.
As Indian cricket shifts towards a younger generation with better management of workload, the next contract list will therefore give a clearer picture of the future vision of BCCI. With the Champions Trophy being the acid test as far as decisions go, fans will surely be glued to see how their favorites perform and what that means for their future in Indian cricket.
