Indian Cricket Players Salaries 2026: Grade A+, A, B & C Salary

The Indian cricket players salaries 2026 reflect the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s financial strength.

BCCI operates the world’s richest cricket board. This financial power allows India to pay its cricketers significantly higher salaries than other cricket-playing nations.

BCCI uses a grading system to determine player salaries. Players receive annual retainers based on their grade placement.

The grades range from A+ to C, with each level offering different pay scales.

Format participation plays a key role in grade assignments.

Players who compete across multiple formats typically receive higher grades.

Those playing only one or two formats may receive lower grade placements.

The system rewards consistency, availability, and performance across international cricket.

Central contracts provide financial security to Indian cricketers.

These contracts exist separately from match fees. Players earn additional income through per-match payments, IPL contracts, and brand endorsements.

The BCCI announced the 2024-25 annual player contracts in April 2024 for men.

Women’s contracts were announced in March 2025. Grade placements change annually based on player performance and participation levels.

Indian Cricket Players Salaries 2026

This article explains the complete salary structure for Indian cricketers.

We cover annual retainers, match fees, grade categories, and additional earning opportunities.

The information helps understand how BCCI compensates its international players.

Overview of BCCI Central Contracts

The BCCI holds the title of the world’s richest cricket board. This financial position stems from India’s massive cricket market.

Television rights, sponsorships, and the Indian Premier League generate substantial revenue.

BCCI’s financial strength allows it to pay cricketers more than other national boards.

Indian players earn significantly higher salaries compared to cricketers from England, Australia, or South Africa. This pay difference reflects India’s dominant position in world cricket economics.

The central contract system divides players into four grades. Each grade carries a specific annual salary. The grading system considers format participation, consistency, and selection frequency.

Players must meet specific criteria to qualify for central contracts. These requirements ensure only active international cricketers receive contracts. The BCCI selection committee reviews contracts annually.

Grade placements can change each season. Strong performances lead to promotions. Reduced participation or poor form may result in demotions. The system maintains performance-based incentives.

BCCI Central Contract Grades and Annual Salaries

The BCCI operates four contract grades for Indian cricketers. Each grade offers a fixed annual salary. These salaries represent base payments before match fees.

Grade A+ represents the highest contract level. Players in this category typically participate across all three formats.

They maintain consistent selection and deliver strong performances. Only a few elite players reach this grade.

Grade A includes established international players. These cricketers appear regularly in the playing XI. They contribute significantly across formats they participate.

Grade B covers emerging stars and format specialists. These players show strong potential or excel in specific formats. They receive regular selection opportunities.

Grade C includes newer international players and occasional selections. Players in this grade are building their international careers. They meet minimum participation requirements for contract eligibility.

Cricket Player Eligibility Criteria

Players must meet specific participation thresholds for contract eligibility. The BCCI reviews these criteria annually. Performance in the preceding year determines contract qualification.

To qualify for a central contract, players must complete one of these requirements:

• Minimum 3 Test matches, or
• Minimum 8 ODI matches, or
• Minimum 10 T20I matches

The BCCI selection committee reviews eligibility each season. Exceptional domestic performances may lead to contract consideration. Players returning from injury receive special evaluation.

Contract exclusions and promotions occur annually. The committee assesses each player’s contribution and availability. Format retirements affect grade placements in subsequent seasons.

Match Fees Structure for Indian Cricketers

The Indian cricket players’ salary per match fees add to annual retainers. Players earn separate payments for each international appearance. These fees vary by format.

Players in the playing XI receive full match fees. Squad members not playing receive half the match fee amount. This structure compensates both playing and backup players.

Per-Match Fee Breakdown

Test matches offer the highest per-match fees. This reflects the format’s demands on players. Test cricket requires extended time commitments and physical endurance.

ODI fees fall between Test and T20I rates. The 50-over format demands moderate time and physical investment. Players compete regularly in ODIs throughout the season.

T20I fees represent the lowest per-match payment. These matches require less time commitment. However, T20I frequency allows players to accumulate substantial match fees annually.

Test Cricket Incentive Scheme

BCCI introduced a Test Cricket Incentive Scheme. This program encourages consistent Test participation. Players earn bonuses based on Test appearances per season.

The incentive applies separately from match fees. It rewards players who maintain Test format availability. Both playing and non-playing squad members qualify for incentives.

Players who appear in 7+ Tests earn maximum incentives. This structure promotes Test cricket commitment. The BCCI player salary per match increases significantly through these bonuses.

Indian Cricket Players Salaries 2026: Grade-Wise Breakdown

The BCCI contract list with salary for 2026 includes players across four grades. Each grade contains multiple cricketers based on their international participation. The Indian cricket players salaries 2025 structure carried forward to 2026 with grade adjustments.

Grade A+ Players (INR 7 Crores Annually)

• 1. Rohit Sharma (Debut: 2007)

Rohit Sharma served as the Indian captain until retiring from Tests and T20Is. He led India to the T20 World Cup 2024 and Champions Trophy 2025 victories. He currently plays only ODI cricket for India.

• 2. Virat Kohli (Debut: 2008)

Virat Kohli was first placed in Grade A+ in March 2018. The BCCI introduced the A+ tier that season. Kohli maintains this grade through consistent performances.

• 3. Jasprit Bumrah (Debut: 2016)

Jasprit Bumrah leads India’s pace attack across formats. He received a Grade A+ placement in March 2018. Bumrah maintains an elite status through consistent wicket-taking performances.

• 4. Ravindra Jadeja (Debut: 2009)

Ravindra Jadeja earned a Grade A+ promotion in March 2023. His Border-Gavaskar Trophy performance secured this upgrade. Jadeja retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup win.

Grade A Players (INR 5 Crores Annually)

• 1. Mohammed Siraj (Debut: 2017)

Mohammed Siraj earned promotion from Grade B to Grade A in March 2024. His consistent ODI and Test performances drove this upgrade. His Asia Cup 2023 final performance contributed to this promotion.

• 2. KL Rahul (Debut: 2014)

KL Rahul first reached Grade A in March 2020. He temporarily moved to Grade B in 2022-23. Rahul returned to Grade A after regaining form and fitness.

• 3. Shubman Gill (Debut: 2020)

Shubman Gill moved from Grade B to Grade A after his prolific 2023 season. He captains India’s Test team. Gill recently received ODI captaincy responsibilities.

• 4. Hardik Pandya (Debut: 2016)

Hardik Pandya entered Grade A in February 2023. He maintains this grade as a white-ball specialist. Pandya contributes primarily in ODI and T20I formats.

• 5. Mohammed Shami (Debut: 2013)

Mohammed Shami has remained in Grade A since 2018. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Shami returned during the Champions Trophy 2025 as the joint-highest wicket-taker.

• 6. Rishabh Pant (Debut: 2017)

Rishabh Pant received a Grade A placement in April 2025. He earned a promotion from Grade B after his comeback. Pant replaced Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired in 2024.

Grade B Players (INR 3 Crores Annually)

• 1. Suryakumar Yadav (Debut: 2021)

Suryakumar Yadav captains India’s T20I team. He led India to the recent Asia Cup victory over Pakistan. Yadav joined Grade B in the 2023-24 contract cycle.

• 2. Kuldeep Yadav (Debut: 2017)

Kuldeep Yadav moved from Grade C to Grade B in 2023-24. His domestic and international performances earned this promotion. He maintains Grade B status in 2024-25.

• 3. Axar Patel (Debut: 2014)

Axar Patel has remained in Grade B since the 2023-24 season. He continues in this grade through 2024-25. Axar contributes regularly across formats.

• 4. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Debut: 2023)

Yashasvi Jaiswal received his first BCCI contract directly in Grade B. This placement came for the 2023-24 season. Jaiswal delivers consistent performances as a Test opener.

• 5. Shreyas Iyer (Debut: 2017)

Shreyas Iyer returned to Grade B in the 2023-24 cycle. He recovered from injury and form issues. Iyer led India’s run-scoring in the Champions Trophy.

Grade C Players (INR 1 Crore Annually)

• 1. Rinku Singh (Debut: 2023)

Rinku Singh entered Grade C in the 2023-24 contract cycle. He retained this placement in 2024-25. Singh continues as a limited-overs specialist.

• 2. Tilak Verma (Debut: 2023)

Tilak Verma received a Grade C contract for the 2023-24 season. He maintains this grade through consistent limited-overs performances. Verma shows promise in white-ball formats.

• 3. Ruturaj Gaikwad (Debut: 2021)

Ruturaj Gaikwad joined Grade C in 2023-24. He retained this position in 2024-25. Gaikwad appears regularly in limited-overs squads.

• 4. Shivam Dube (Debut: 2019)

Shivam Dube earned Grade C from 2023-24. He maintained this contract in 2024-25. Dube functions as an all-rounder in white-ball cricket.

• 5. Ravi Bishnoi (Debut: 2022)

Ravi Bishnoi received his first Grade C contract in 2023-24. He specializes in limited-overs spin bowling. Bishnoi features regularly in T20I squads.

• 6. Washington Sundar (Debut: 2017)

Washington Sundar holds a Grade C placement from 2023-24. He retained this position in 2024-25. Sundar contributes as a spin-bowling all-rounder.

• 7. Mukesh Kumar (Debut: 2023)

Mukesh Kumar entered Grade C from 2023-24. He bowls pace across formats. Kumar features in rotation-based selections.

• 8. Sanju Samson (Debut: 2015)

Sanju Samson maintains Grade C status since the 2023-24 season. He serves as a wicketkeeper-batter in limited-overs formats. Samson appears in squad selections regularly.

• 9. Arshdeep Singh (Debut: 2022)

Arshdeep Singh joined Grade C in the 2023-24 cycle. He specializes in T20I pace bowling. Singh maintains regular white-ball selection.

• 10. Prasidh Krishna (Debut: 2021)

Prasidh Krishna holds Grade C from 2023-24. He bowls pace primarily in limited-overs formats. Krishna features in the ODI and T20I squads.

• 11. Rajat Patidar (Debut: 2023)

Rajat Patidar entered Grade C from the 2023-24 season. He bats in the middle order. Patidar receives occasional international opportunities.

• 12. Dhruv Jurel (Debut: 2024)

Dhruv Jurel qualified for Grade C after playing two Test matches. He received this contract from the 2024-25 cycle. Jurel serves as wicketkeeper-batter.

• 13. Sarfaraz Khan (Debut: 2024)

Sarfaraz Khan earned Grade C after playing two Tests. He joined the 2024-25 contracts list. Khan bats in the middle order.

• 14. Nitish Kumar Reddy (Debut: 2024)

Nitish Kumar Reddy has held Grade C since 2024-25. He contributes as an all-rounder. Reddy shows promise across formats.

• 15. Ishan Kishan (Debut: 2021)

Ishan Kishan returned to Grade C in 2024-25. He was previously dropped from contracts. Kishan functions as a wicketkeeper-batter.

• 16. Abhishek Sharma (Debut: 2024)

Abhishek Sharma entered Grade C for 2024-25. He qualified after playing eight T20I matches. Sharma bats in top-order positions.

• 17. Akash Deep (Debut: 2024)

Akash Deep received Grade C for 2024-25. He qualified after playing three Test matches. Deep bowls pace across formats.

• 18. Varun Chakaravarthy (Debut: 2021)

Varun Chakaravarthy returned to Grade C in 2024-25. He debuted in 2021 but faced selection gaps. Chakaravarthy bowls spin in T20Is.

• 19. Harshit Rana (Debut: 2024)

Harshit Rana joined Grade C for 2024-25. He has played all formats since his 2024 debut. Rana bowls pace across formats.

Additional Earnings for Indian Cricketers

Indian cricket players salaries per month come from multiple income sources. Central contracts provide base monthly payments. Match fees add significant amounts during active playing periods.

The Indian cricket players salaries per year increase substantially through additional earnings. Players receive income beyond their BCCI contracts. These earnings come from domestic leagues and commercial activities.

Match Fee Income

How much do international cricketers earn per match depends on the format. Test matches offer INR 15 lakhs per appearance. ODIs provide INR 6 lakhs per match. T20Is pay INR 3 lakhs per game.

Playing XI members receive full match fees. Non-playing squad members earn half the match fee. This system ensures all squad members receive compensation.

Test Cricket Incentives

The Test incentive scheme adds bonus payments. Players appearing in 5-6 Tests earn INR 30 lakhs per match. Those playing 7+ Tests receive INR 45 lakhs per match.

Non-playing members also receive incentive payments. They earn INR 15 lakhs for 5-6 Tests. The payment increases to INR 22.5 lakhs for 7+ Tests.

IPL and League Income

The Indian Premier League provides substantial earnings. Player contracts are negotiated independently. IPL salaries often exceed international contract values.

Players also participate in foreign T20 leagues. These leagues offer competitive salaries. League participation adds significantly to annual earnings.

Brand Endorsements

Brand deals provide major income streams. Successful players attract multiple sponsorships. Endorsement values depend on player popularity and performance.

Top players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma earn heavily from brands. Their endorsement income exceeds their BCCI salaries. Performance and public image drive endorsement opportunities.

Indian Women’s Cricket Team Salary Structure

Indian women cricketers receive equal match fees as men. The BCCI maintains parity in per-match payments. Women earn the same amounts for Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Annual retainer contracts for women follow a grading system. The structure mirrors the men’s contract format. However, the salary amounts differ from men’s grades.

Grade A (INR 50 Lakhs Annually)

• Harmanpreet Kaur
• Smriti Mandhana
• Deepti Sharma

These three players hold the highest women’s contract grade. They lead India’s women’s team across formats. Their consistent performances justify Grade A placement.

Grade B (INR 30 Lakhs Annually)

• Renuka Thakur
• Jemimah Rodrigues
• Richa Ghosh
• Shafali Verma

Grade B includes established women’s team players. These cricketers appear regularly in playing XIs. They contribute significantly across formats.

Grade C (INR 10 Lakhs Annually)

• Yastika Bhatia
• Radha Yadav
• Shreyanka Patil
• Titas Sadhu
• Arundhati Reddy
• Amanjot Kaur
• Uma Chetry
• Sneh Rana
• Pooja Vastrakar

Grade C covers emerging players and regular squad members. These cricketers receive selection opportunities. They build their international careers through consistent performances.

The BCCI player salary per month for women includes these retainers plus match fees. Women cricketers also earn from WPL contracts. Brand endorsements add to their income.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the salary grades in BCCI’s central contract system?

BCCI operates four salary grades: Grade A+ (INR 7 Crores), Grade A (INR 5 Crores), Grade B (INR 3 Crores), and Grade C (INR 1 Crore). These grades reflect player importance and format participation.

• How much do Indian cricketers earn per match?

Players receive INR 15 lakhs per Test, INR 6 lakhs per ODI, and INR 3 lakhs per T20I. Playing XI members get full fees. Non-playing squad members receive half these amounts.

• What eligibility criteria determine BCCI central contracts?

Players must complete at least 3 Tests, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is in the previous year. The BCCI selection committee reviews eligibility annually. Domestic performance and fitness factor into contract decisions.

• Do Indian women cricketers receive equal match fees?

Yes, Indian women receive identical per-match fees as men across all formats. Their annual retainer contracts use a similar grading system. However, annual retainer amounts differ from men’s grades.

• How does the Test cricket incentive scheme work?

Players appearing in 5-6 Tests earn INR 30 lakhs per match bonus. Those playing 7+ Tests receive INR 45 lakhs per match. Non-playing members get half these amounts.

• Which players currently hold Grade A+ status?

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja currently hold Grade A+ contracts. These players earn INR 7 Crores annually. Grade placements may change based on future performance.

Conclusion

The Indian cricket players salaries 2026 demonstrate BCCI’s financial strength. The grading system provides structured compensation across four categories. Players earn annual retainers ranging from INR 1 Crore to INR 7 Crores.

Match fees supplement annual contracts significantly. Test matches offer the highest per-match payments. The Test incentive scheme further rewards format commitment. Players in the playing XI earn double what non-playing members receive.

Additional income sources boost total earnings substantially. IPL contracts often exceed international salaries. Brand endorsements provide major revenue for successful players. These combined income streams create substantial annual earnings.

Women cricketers receive equal match fees as men. Their annual retainers follow similar grading structures. The BCCI maintains salary parity in per-match payments across genders.

Grade placements change annually based on performance. Players can move up or down grades each season. Consistent performances and format availability determine contract levels. The system rewards ongoing contributions to Indian cricket.

Central contracts provide financial security to Indian cricketers. The structure ensures players focus on international performances. BCCI’s payment system reflects India’s dominant position in world cricket economics.

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