The Board of Control for Cricket in India is preparing to announce the BCCI Central Contract 2026 list with significant structural changes.
The revised system will prioritize multi-format availability, leadership responsibilities, and workload management over traditional seniority-based placements.
Senior players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to see changes in their contract grades.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill is tipped to lead the top contract bracket. Ishan Kishan is also expected to return to the central contract system after missing out earlier.
The final list awaits approval from the BCCI Apex Council. The announcement is expected within the coming days, marking a new phase in India’s contract structure.
We have already covered the “Indian Cricket Players Salaries 2026 for Grade A+, A, B & C Players” in detail, which provides complete salary breakdown information.
BCCI Central Contract 2026 List
Major Highlights of BCCI Central Contract 2026
The BCCI Central Contract 2026 is expected to bring the following key changes:
- Grade A+ category likely to be scrapped under the revised structure
- Shubman Gill is expected to lead the top contract tier
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are likely to be placed in Grade B
- Ishan Kishan set to return to central contracts
- Contract grading to focus on formats played and availability
- Final list to be announced after Apex Council approval
- Workload management and fitness to play a bigger role in placements
Rohit & Virat Demoted, but Why?
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been part of the top contract bracket for years due to their multi-format involvement.
However, both have now stepped away from Test and T20I cricket.
Currently, both senior batters are active only in the ODI format.
The proposed contract structure evaluates players based on the number of formats played, consistent match availability, and role in long-term planning.
With limited format participation, Rohit and Virat are expected to be placed in Grade B if the revised model is approved.
This is a policy-driven decision based on format availability, not a reflection of their past contributions or current form.
Shubman Gill Expected to Get Top Contract in BCCI Central Contract 2026
Shubman Gill is expected to be the biggest beneficiary of the revised system.
As India’s current ODI and Test captain, Gill has established himself as a key figure in the team’s future.
Gill’s rise is driven by multiple factors. He holds captaincy responsibilities in two formats and has delivered strong performances both at home and overseas.
His excellent fitness record and consistent availability make him a central part of long-term team planning.
Gill is expected to feature at the top of the revised contract structure, confirming BCCI’s trust in him as a long-term leader.
Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah Expected to Remain in Upper Brackets
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah are expected to remain in the higher contract categories.
Jadeja continues to be a key senior all-rounder in Tests and ODIs with consistent performances.
Bumrah remains India’s pace leader with his workload being carefully managed across formats.
Both players bring experience and impact, keeping them firmly placed in the upper tiers of the contract list.
Ishan Kishan Likely to Return to Central Contracts
Ishan Kishan is expected to return to the BCCI Central Contract 2026 List after missing out previously.
He had taken a break from competitive cricket, which affected his contract status earlier.
His consistent domestic performances and renewed selection interest have improved his chances significantly.
Kishan is likely to be placed in Grade B, marking his return to the national contract system.
Expected BCCI Central Contract Structure (2026)
| Contract Grade | Expected Player Profile |
|---|---|
| Grade A | Multi-format core players and leadership group |
| Grade B | Senior single-format players and regular contributors |
| Grade C | Young and emerging players |
The final placements will be confirmed once the revised structure receives official approval.
BCCI Contract List (2024–25) – Team India (Senior Men)
| Grade | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A+ | Rohit Sharma | Batter |
| Virat Kohli | Batter | |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler | |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-Rounder | |
| Grade A | Mohammed Siraj | Bowler |
| KL Rahul | Wicketkeeper-Batter | |
| Shubman Gill | Batter | |
| Hardik Pandya | All-Rounder | |
| Rishabh Pant | Wicketkeeper-Batter | |
| Mohammed Shami | Bowler | |
| Grade B | Suryakumar Yadav | Batter |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Bowler | |
| Axar Patel | Bowler | |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter | |
| Shreyas Iyer | Batter | |
| Grade C | Rinku Singh | Batter |
| Tilak Varma | Batter | |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Batter | |
| Shivam Dube | All-Rounder | |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler | |
| Washington Sundar | All-Rounder | |
| Mukesh Kumar | Bowler | |
| Sanju Samson | Wicketkeeper-Batter | |
| Arshdeep Singh | Bowler | |
| Prasidh Krishna | Bowler | |
| Rajat Patidar | Batter | |
| Dhruv Jurel | Wicketkeeper-Batter | |
| Sarfaraz Khan | Batter | |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | All-Rounder | |
| Ishan Kishan | Wicketkeeper-Batter | |
| Abhishek Sharma | Batter | |
| Akash Deep | Bowler | |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Bowler | |
| Harshit Rana | Bowler |
Possible Changes Beyond Player Contracts
Apart from player contracts, the BCCI is also expected to review a proposal to increase match fees for domestic umpires and match referees.
This move could help strengthen India’s domestic cricket structure.
The revision addresses long-standing concerns from officials about fair compensation.
These structural reforms are expected to be discussed alongside the central contract announcements.
BCCI Central Contract 2026 Announcement Date
The central contract list is expected to be released within the next couple of days.
The announcement will mark the beginning of a new cycle focused on leadership transition and long-term stability.
Final confirmation requires approval from the BCCI Apex Council.
Once approved, the official list will be made public through BCCI’s official channels.
Conclusion:
The BCCI Central Contract 2026 list represents a major shift in BCCI’s evaluation approach.
Key takeaways include:
- Leadership and multi-format availability now determine top contracts
- Format-based grading replaces traditional seniority-focused placements
- Younger captains benefit from policy-driven restructuring
- Senior players receive fair treatment based on current involvement
The new structure reflects India’s transition phase with clear emphasis on building a sustainable leadership model.
The announcement will confirm whether these expected changes become official policy.
This marks a significant step in aligning contracts with modern team planning requirements.
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