Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan Return: What BCCI’s annual contract reveals about Team India’s future

The BCCI annual contracts for Indian cricketers provide a clear picture of the hierarchy, performance, and value of players in the Indian cricket structure. These contracts are graded into four levels—A+, A, B, and C—each with a predetermined annual retainer price and reflecting the player’s status, form, and contribution to the team.

What BCCI Annual Contracts Reveal about Indian Cricketers

1. Player Ranking and Status * Contracts rank players based on their recent performance, relevance to the team, and experience. The highest grade, A+, includes elite players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, who earn the maximum retainer price of Rs 7 crore each year.

* Grade A players earning Rs 5 crore per year include major contributors such as Rishabh Pant (just promoted), KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya, demonstrating their importance in the team.

* Grade B and C players are either rising talents or those who have shown promise but have not yet established themselves as regular members of the playing squad. For example, Shreyas Iyer returned to Grade B following a solid performance in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, whilst Ishan Kishan is in Grade C, reflecting his status as a backup wicketkeeper-batsman.

2. Performance-Based Promotions and Demotions * The grading system is dynamic and reflects players’ current performance and contribution. For example, Rishabh Pant’s promotion from Grade B to A recognizes his better performance. In contrast, players who underperform or skip domestic responsibilities may be dropped or demoted, as witnessed with Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who were excluded the previous year but have since returned due to improved performances and form.

3. Financial security and incentives.

* The contracts provide players a guaranteed annual income regardless of the amount of matches played

* Retainer fees range from Rs 7 crore for A+ players to Rs 1 crore for Grade C players, motivating players to perform regularly in order to advance to higher grades and earn more.

4. Recognizing Emerging Talent * The inclusion of new players like Abhishek Sharma, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy in Grade C demonstrates BCCI’s dedication to developing emerging talent and giving financial and professional support early in their careers.

5. Contract Duration and Benefits * Contracts normally last one year, from October 1 to September 30, to match with the cricket calendar and compensate players throughout the season.

• Besides monetary benefits, contracted players receive perks such as travel reimbursements, medical assistance, and access to top training facilities, which aid in their professional development.
  

Summary Table of BCCI Contract Grades and Annual Retainer Fees