Rohit Virat DEMOTED, Ishan Kishan DROPPED in BCCI Central Contracts reveal, sparks outrage

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has triggered a storm with its newly announced central contracts for the 2025 to 26 season. What was expected to be a routine administrative update has instead turned into one of the most debated decisions in recent years.

The biggest flashpoint has been the revised grading system, which has reshuffled senior names, altered long standing hierarchies, and quietly removed the top tier category that once defined elite multi format status.

Why the A Plus Category Has Been Scrapped

The most significant structural change this season is the complete removal of the A Plus bracket from the central contracts list. This category had historically been reserved for players who were consistent across all formats and formed the spine of Indian cricket over multiple years.

With the current team structure shifting towards format specialization, the board appears to have decided that maintaining a premium tier no longer aligns with reality. Several senior players now feature in only one format, while others are being managed carefully across formats. Retaining a category designed for three format dominance would have left a single fast bowler isolated at the top, which the board clearly wanted to avoid.

The decision also reflects uncertainty around the long term all format futures of some current leaders. Rather than force an outdated structure, the board has opted for consolidation, bringing everyone under three clear grades with fixed retainership values.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s New Position

The most emotional reaction has come from the repositioning of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players now feature in Grade B after being part of the highest bracket for several seasons.

This change is not a commentary on their stature or past contributions. It is instead a direct result of eligibility rules tied to format participation. With both players stepping away from Test cricket and T20 internationals, their current involvement is limited to One Day Internationals. Under the board’s criteria, players active in only one format cannot occupy the top financial tier.

While technically sound, the move has unsettled many supporters who view contracts as a measure of legacy and influence, not just match appearances. The shift has reopened a larger conversation about how seniority should be weighed against current workload.

Who Made It to the Top Bracket This Season

Grade A now stands as the highest category, offering an annual retainership of five crore rupees. This group includes players seen as central to India’s present and immediate future across formats.

Among the men, fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remains a core figure, joined by Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja. Their inclusion signals the board’s emphasis on versatility, leadership potential, and sustained performance.

The women’s contracts reflect a similar philosophy. Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma form the top tier, underscoring consistency and long term impact rather than short bursts of form.

Grade A also includes several high profile names who are active across one or two formats and remain match winners in their roles. This expanded grouping has blurred the line between elite and emerging leaders, which has further fueled public debate.

Fan Backlash and Questions Over Transparency

Public reaction has been swift and intense. Social media platforms have been flooded with criticism, confusion, and accusations of inconsistency. Many fans have questioned how certain players secured top contracts while others with similar or broader workloads were placed lower.

The exclusion of Ishan Kishan has drawn particular attention, especially given his presence in last season’s contract list. Others have pointed to players contributing across formats yet receiving Grade C contracts, leading to claims that the grading logic lacks clarity.

The board maintains that contracts are determined by a mix of performance, leadership responsibilities, availability, and long term planning. However, the absence of a detailed public explanation has left room for speculation and frustration.

At its core, this controversy highlights a deeper tension between modern workload management and traditional ideas of hierarchy. As Indian cricket continues to evolve, so too will debates about how value is measured, rewarded, and communicated.

What remains clear is that central contracts are no longer just administrative paperwork. They are statements of intent, vision, and priorities, and fans are watching every move closely.