What is BCCI Central Contract? Salary, Grades, and Perks Explained

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offers Indian cricketers annual central contracts, ensuring financial stability and rewarding performance.

These contracts are divided into four grades: Grade A+ (₹7 crore per year), Grade A (₹5 crore per year), Grade B (₹3 crore per year), and Grade C (₹1 crore per year).

Players are categorised based on their performance, consistency, and contribution to the team. In the 2024-25 season, top players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja were included in the Grade A+ category.

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BCCI announces annual player retainership 2024-25 - Team India (Senior Men)#TeamIndia

Details 🔽https://t.co/lMjl2Ici3P pic.twitter.com/CsJHaLSeho

— BCCI (@BCCI) April 21, 2025

Apart from the annual salary, players also earn match fees—₹15 lakh for Test matches, ₹6 lakh for ODIs, and ₹3 lakh for T20Is.

These contracts come with additional perks like bonuses and endorsements. Moreover, contracted players must participate in domestic cricket whenever they are not on national duty, helping to strengthen Indian cricket at all levels.

What is the BCCI Central Contract?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offers annual central contracts to senior men's cricketers, categorising them into four grades based on performance and contributions:

• Grade A+: ₹7 crore per year
• Grade A: ₹5 crore per year
• Grade B: ₹3 crore per year
• Grade C: ₹1 crore per year
• Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for a central contract, a player must have participated in at least 3 Test matches, 8 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), or 10 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
• Benefits: Players under central contracts receive benefits such as free recovery at the National Cricket Academy, travel reimbursements, and access to world-class training facilities.
• Match Fees: Separate from retainer fees, players earn match fees for each game played:
• Test: ₹15 lakh
• ODI: ₹6 lakh
• T20I: ₹3 lakh

Purpose and Impact

The central contract system ensures financial stability for players, incentivises performance, and emphasises the importance of domestic cricket participation. It also helps maintain a structured pathway for talent retention and development within the Indian cricket ecosystem.

Recent Developments

In recent news, Shreyas Iyer is expected to return to the central contract list after a strong performance in the Champions Trophy and domestic cricket. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to retain their A+ contracts despite retiring from T20I cricket.

What Benefits Do Players Get Under the BCCI Central Contract?

Players under the BCCI central contract receive several benefits beyond their monetary compensation. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Monetary Compensation: Players are categorised into four grades—A+, A, B, and C—with annual retainers of ₹7 crore, ₹5 crore, ₹3 crore, and ₹1 crore, respectively. They also earn match fees for each game played: ₹15 lakh for Tests, ₹6 lakh for ODIs, and ₹3 lakh for T20Is.
• Bonuses and Incentives: Exceptional performances can lead to bonuses and awards, motivating players to excel.
• Medical Benefits: Centrally contracted players receive medical insurance and can undergo recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) without cost.
• Training Facilities: Access to state-of-the-art training facilities at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
• Travel Allowances: Players receive travel reimbursements for tours.
• NOC for Foreign Leagues: Players must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the BCCI to participate in foreign leagues.

These benefits ensure that contracted players are well-supported both financially and in terms of their cricketing development.

How Many Players Are Currently Under BCCI Central Contracts?

As of the 2024-25 season, a total of 34 players were awarded BCCI central contracts. The Board released the new list on 21st April 2025, which included changes such as the return of Shreyas Iyer and the inclusion of new players like Varun Chakravarthy, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Abhishek Sharma.

Here is a breakdown of the players for the 2024-25 season:

Grade A+ (₹7 crore annual retainer):  

• Rohit Sharma  
• Virat Kohli  
• Jasprit Bumrah  
• Ravindra Jadeja  

Grade A (₹5 crore annual retainer):

• Mohammed Siraj
• KL Rahul
• Shubman Gill  
• Hardik Pandya
• Mohammed Shami
• Rishabh Pant  

Grade B (₹3 crore annual retainer):  

• Suryakumar Yadav
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Axar Patel
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Shreyas Iyer

Grade C (₹1 crore annual retainer):  

• Rinku Singh
• Tilak Varma
• Ruturaj Gaikwad  
• Shivam Dube
• Ravi Bishnoi  
• Washington Sundar  
• Mukesh Kumar  
• Sanju Samson  
• Arshdeep Singh
• Prasidh Krishna  
• Rajat Patidar
• Dhruv Jurel
• Sarfaraz Khan  
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Ishan Kishan
• Abhishek Sharma
• Akash Deep  
• Varun Chakaravarthy
• Harshit Rana

Why is the BCCI Central Contract Important for Indian Cricket?

The BCCI Central Contract is crucial for Indian cricket, as it serves multiple purposes that strengthen the sport at both domestic and international levels. Here are the key reasons why it is important:

1. Financial Security for Players

The contract ensures financial stability for players through annual retainers, match fees, bonuses, and additional perks. This allows players to focus on their game without worrying about monetary concerns, fostering a professional environment.

2. Encouragement for Domestic Cricket

The BCCI mandates centrally contracted players to participate in domestic red-ball cricket, such as the Ranji Trophy. This directive helps preserve the sanctity of Test cricket, enhances player readiness for the longest format, and strengthens India's domestic cricket ecosystem.

3. Talent Development

By requiring players to prove themselves in domestic tournaments, the contract system ensures that grassroots talent is nurtured and serves as a feeder line to the national team. It emphasises performance as a critical yardstick for selection.

4. Structured Player Management

The grading system (A+, A, B, C) incentivises consistent performance and provides a clear pathway for promotion or demotion based on form and contribution. This structure motivates players to maintain high standards.

5. Balancing IPL and National Commitments

The BCCI uses the contract system to ensure players prioritise international and domestic commitments over IPL participation when necessary. This helps maintain a balance between commercial leagues and national cricket.

6. Injury Management and Support

Contracted players benefit from medical assistance, rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), and transparent fitness updates from the board. This ensures their physical well-being and readiness for international matches.

7. Upholding Test Cricket

Mandating participation in red-ball domestic cricket reflects BCCI's commitment to preserving Test cricket as a cornerstone of Indian cricket's legacy.