Star cricketers face salary cuts amid major contract restructuring plan

Indian cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may soon face a significant change in their professional standing with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Reports indicate that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has proposed a major restructuring of the BCCI central contracts for the upcoming 2025–26 season. The most striking recommendation is the potential removal of the elite 'A-plus' category, which traditionally houses the highest-paid multi-format players.

Currently, the BCCI maintains four financial tiers for its players: A+, A, B, and C. The A+ bracket commands a retainer of Rs 7 crore, while the subsequent grades offer Rs 5 crore, Rs 3 crore, and Rs 1 crore respectively. If the committee's suggestion is approved by the apex council, the top tier could vanish entirely.

This administrative shift would directly impact Sharma and Kohli. Both veterans retired from Test cricket during the IPL 2025 season and now exclusively play One Day Internationals (ODIs). Since the top-tier contracts are usually reserved for players who feature in at least two international formats, the duo is expected to be moved down to the B category, valued at Rs 3 crore. This would mark a sharp financial adjustment for two of the game's biggest icons.

While the "Ro-Ko" era sees a transition, the younger generation is stepping up. Shubman Gill, who has taken over the captaincy reins in Tests and ODIs, is tipped for a promotion to the highest available bracket. Meanwhile, the status of Ravindra Jadeja remains uncertain; despite continuing in Test cricket, his placement depends on whether the top tier is dissolved or retained for single-format excellence.

These proposals are currently awaiting final approval at the board’s next meeting. For Odisha cricket fans following the team's evolution, this signals a clear changing of the guard in Indian cricket administration and player hierarchy.