JYNEWS-The landscape of Indian cricket is shifting, and it’s doing so faster than a Jasprit Bumrah yorker. For over a decade, the names Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been synonymous with the pinnacle of the sport. They weren’t just players; they were the faces of the brand, the titans of the “A+” category, and the undisputed kings of the BCCI central contract list. But as we move into the 2026-2027 season, a seismic shift is occurring behind the scenes at the world’s richest cricket board.
Recent reports, most notably from Jagran, suggest that the BCCI is preparing to overhaul its central contract structure in a way that would have seemed unthinkable just a couple of years ago. The headlines are buzzing with one word: demotion. The two legends of the game, who recently stepped away from T20 Internationals and Test matches to focus on the ODI format, are reportedly set to slide down the financial pecking order.
The Death of the A+ Category
For years, the BCCI maintained an elite “A+” bracket reserved for the “all-format” superstars. This was the VIP lounge of Indian cricket, where players earned the highest annual retainers. However, the latest buzz indicates that the BCCI has decided to scrap the A+ category entirely. This decision marks a fundamental change in how the board values its talent.
In this new era, the hierarchy is being streamlined. With the A+ category gone, Grade A becomes the new gold standard. But here is the kicker: only three players are expected to make the cut for this top tier. While Rohit and Virat have occupied the top spots for what feels like an eternity, they are reportedly not among those three names. Instead, they are expected to be placed in Grade B, a move that reflects their reduced presence across all three formats of the game.
The New Kings of Grade A
So, who are the three players snatching the crown? The logic behind the new Grade A is simple: availability and versatility. The BCCI wants to reward those who are grinding it out across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Leading the pack is Shubman Gill, the man widely regarded as the heir apparent to the batting throne. Joining him is the world’s most lethal fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, whose ability to win matches in any format makes him indispensable. Rounding out the trio is the veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who continues to prove that age is just a number by maintaining high performance levels across the board. These three represent the present and future of the Indian team’s core identity, and their promotion to the sole top tier reflects that reality.
A Massive Middle Class in Grade B
The shift for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli into Grade B doesn’t mean they are being pushed out of the door, but it is a clear signal of a transitional phase. Joining them in Grade B is a star-studded list of players who are either format specialists or white-ball maestros.
This group includes the likes of T20 sensation Suryakumar Yadav, the versatile KL Rahul, and the powerhouse Hardik Pandya. We also see the return of Shreyas Iyer and the inclusion of rising stars and reliable hands like Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj. It’s a “Grade B” that looks more like a World XI, yet it sits below the three-man elite squad. This restructuring emphasizes that while these players are vital, the “all-format” consistency of Gill, Bumrah, and Jadeja is currently held in higher regard by the selectors.
The Future Talents in Grade C
While the top-level shifts are grabbing the headlines, the Grade C list is where the real depth of Indian cricket resides. This category is packed with the “Generation Next” of the IPL and domestic circuits.
Young guns like Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and Abhishek Sharma have found their spots here, alongside consistent performers like Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, and Ravi Bishnoi. The inclusion of names like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Dhruv Jurel shows that the BCCI is keeping a keen eye on fresh talent that has performed under pressure. Grade C is essentially the waiting room for future superstardom, a place where players prove they have the temperament to eventually climb into the higher brackets.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The primary reason for this shuffle is the natural evolution of a player’s career. Rohit and Virat are in the twilight of their international journeys. By moving away from the T20 and Test arenas, they naturally clock fewer days on the field for the national side compared to someone like Shubman Gill.
The BCCI’s contract system is designed to be a meritocracy based on volume of play and importance across formats. As the veterans transition into being ODI specialists, the financial structure is adjusting to match. It’s a pragmatic, albeit jarring, move that proves no name is bigger than the system. Indian cricket is officially entering its next chapter, and the payroll is the first place reflecting that change.
भूदेव भगलिया एक अनुभवी और वरिष्ठ पत्रकार हैं, जिन्होंने हिंदी पत्रकारिता की दुनिया में अपनी गहरी पकड़ और सटीक लेखन शैली से अलग पहचान बनाई है। पत्रकारिता के क्षेत्र में दो दशकों से अधिक अनुभव के साथ, भूदेव जी ने दैनिक हिंदुस्तान में 12 वर्षों तक और अमर उजाला में एक वर्ष तक महत्वपूर्ण जिम्मेदारियाँ निभाईं। वर्तमान में वे जागरूक यूथ न्यूज़ अखबार एवं पोर्टल में कंटेंट एडिटर के पद पर कार्यरत हैं, जहाँ वे न्यूज़ कंटेंट की गुणवत्ता और विश्वसनीयता सुनिश्चित करने में अहम भूमिका निभा रहे हैं। भूदेव भगलिया हमेशा उन मुद्दों पर कलम उठाते हैं जो समाज और युवा पीढ़ी को जागरूक करने में सहायक हों।