The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the much-anticipated central contract list, and the spotlight remains firmly on the cricketing giants, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Retaining their Grade A+ status, the star players are set to earn a staggering Rs 7 crore each annually, excluding match fees.
This substantial salary places Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma at the pinnacle of Indian cricket’s financial hierarchy. In addition to their yearly contract earnings, players receive match fees for Test matches (Rs 15 lakh), ODIs (Rs 6 lakh), and T20Is (Rs 3 lakh).
Joining the elite Grade A+ category alongside Kohli and Sharma are Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, both securing a hefty salary of Rs 7 crore each. Bumrah, India’s prime pacer across formats, strategically manages his workload, allowing him to skip select bilateral series. Jadeja, India’s premier all-rounder, is a key contributor in all formats.
Recent developments have further solidified Rohit Sharma’s position in the leadership role as he has been named the captain for Team India in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, as announced by Jay Shah.
Delving into the salary structure across other categories, Grade A players are entitled to Rs 5 crore per annum, while Grade B cricketers earn Rs 3 crore. Those falling under Grade C receive a salary of Rs 1 crore. This year’s Grade A list includes six players, featuring R Ashwin and Hardik Pandya. Ashwin, primarily considered for Test matches, and Hardik Pandya, a white-ball cricket specialist, continue to be integral parts of the national setup.
Grade B contracts have been awarded to five players, with Rishabh Pant transitioning from Grade A to Grade B. The list expands to 15 players in Grade C contracts, with the potential addition of Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel pending their participation in the Dharamsala Test match against England.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming season, these contract announcements shed light on the financial rewards awaiting the players, reflecting their prowess and contributions to Indian cricket.
