The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent a clear message to its stars: perform or perish. Monday's announcement of the central contracts for the 2025-26 season saw a ruthless pruning of the roster.
Stalwarts Sidelined
Mohammed Shami, India's standout performer in the previous ODI World Cup, has been omitted entirely, likely due to long-term fitness concerns. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, who were in the crosshairs last year for skipping domestic cricket, have once again been left out, signaling that the board's stern stance on Ranji Trophy participation has not softened.
The Grade B Shock
Perhaps the most shocking part of the list is the demotion of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both legends have been moved from the A+ category (₹7 crore) to Grade B (₹3 crore). Sources suggest this is due to their reduced frequency in certain formats as the team builds towards the future. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has been fast-tracked into the top tier, joining Bumrah and Jadeja as the highest earners.