What is BCCI Central Contract? Indian Cricketers Salaries Per Year

By: Cricbites | August 30, 2025

Cricket is considered a religion by millions of fans in India and hence, from that alone you can imagine how much popularity and recognition Indian cricketers enjoy through extensive media coverage and sponsorship deals. However, their earnings are not limited to match fees alone. Their income mainly comes from one of the most structured and reliable sources of income for Indian players in India, the BCCI Central Contract.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced this system so that players get fair remuneration for their services as well as their performances across various formats.

What Is BCCI Central Contract?

The BCCI Central Contract is a structured annual payment system designed to financially secure Indian cricketers based on their contributions, seniority and consistency. Introduced in 2001, the scheme categorizes players into various categories or grades, with each grade offering a fixed annual retainer fee along with match fees. This ensures that players who regularly represent India are handsomely rewarded, while emerging talents also receive financial support and encouragement. The agreement acts as both a recognition of the player’s value and an incentive to maintain top performance.

How Does The BCCI Central Contract Work?

The contract is divided into four main grades:

Grade A+ – Reserved for the top performers of Indian cricket across all formats.
Grade A – For consistent players who are integral to the national team.
Grade B – For players who are regulars but may not feature across all formats.
Grade C – For upcoming players and new members of the squad.

In addition to a fixed annual retainer, players also receive match fees:

Test Match: ₹15 lakh per match
ODI: ₹6 lakh per match
T20I: ₹3 lakh per match

This ensures that even if a player does not make it to the top grades, he still earns by participating in matches regularly.

BCCI Central Contract Categories and Salaries (2025 Updated)

As of 2025, here is the breakdown of the annual salaries of Indian cricketers under the central contract system:

1. Grade A+ (₹7 Crore per year)

This is the elite category, reserved for the best match-winning players across all formats. Players in this group not only carry a lot of responsibility but also represent Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma (Captain, all formats)
Virat Kohli (Senior batsman, Test and ODI mainstay)
Jasprit Bumrah (Spearhead of India’s bowling attack)
Hardik Pandya (Key all-rounder, T20 captaincy role)

Each of these players earns ₹7 crore per annum, (endorsements and match fees excluded).

2. Grade A (₹5 Crore per year)

The Grade A list includes consistent performers who are crucial to India’s success but cannot play regularly across all formats.

Ravichandran Ashwin (Test cricket mainstay, match-winning spinner)
Mohammed Shami (ODI and Test pace spearhead)
Ravindra Jadeja (All-rounder across formats)
Shubman Gill (Emerging star, long-term opener for India)
KL Rahul (Reliable batter and occasional wicketkeeper)
Axar Patel (All-rounder, strong limited-overs performer)

In short, these players earn ₹5 crore per year.

3. Grade B (₹3 Crore per year)

The Grade B list is made for regular contributors who can play mainly in one or two formats.

Suryakumar Yadav (T20I specialist and vice-captain)
Kuldeep Yadav (India’s lead wrist spinner)
Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper-batter making a comeback post-injury)
Ishan Kishan (Dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, limited-overs format)
Prasidh Krishna (Fast bowler, ODI specialist)

These players earn ₹3 crore annually.

4. Grade C (₹1 Crore per year)

The Grade C category is usually for youngsters or players looking to solidify their place in the team.

Washington Sundar (All-rounder, especially in T20s)
Arshdeep Singh (Young left-arm pacer, T20 specialist)
Shreyas Iyer (Middle-order batter)
Ruturaj Gaikwad (T20 and ODI squad member)
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Explosive opener, Test and T20 potential)

Each earns ₹1 crore per year.

Additional Earnings for Indian Cricketers

While the BCCI central contract is the main source of income, it is not the only one. Indian cricketers also earn from:

Match Fees – As explained earlier, per-format payments are added on top of contracts.
IPL Salaries – Many Indian cricketers earn huge amounts from their IPL franchises.
Endorsements – Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya make crores annually from brand deals.
Bonuses – Special incentives are given for landmark performances like scoring centuries, five-wicket hauls, or winning ICC tournaments.

Why Is The Central Contract Important?

The central contract system ensures:

Financial stability – Players can focus on performance without worrying about financial insecurity.
Recognition – Grades show about a player’s importance for the team.
Motivation for youngsters – Emerging players are rewarded and inspired to aim for higher grades.
Transparency – Provides a clear structure for salaries, avoiding inconsistencies.

Comparison With Other Countries

While India offers some of the most beneficial contracts in cricket, it’s interesting to compare with other nations:

Australia: Top players earn around ₹4-5 crore annually in retainer fees.
England: Top players here earn for about ₹3-4 crore for central/main players.
Pakistan: Contracts are mainly lower, around ₹1-2 crore.

This shows why Indian players are among the best-paid cricketers globally.

Future of BCCI Central Contracts

With cricket growing rapidly and new formats like franchise T20 leagues gaining importance, the BCCI may also look to further refine its contract structure. Discussions are underway about format-specific contracts. This will ensure fair salary distribution and encourage players to excel in a particular format.

Conclusion

The BCCI Central Contract is a recognition of hard work and contribution in Indian cricket. With structured grades and transparent payments, it shows that players are rewarded for their talent and efforts. In 2025, the system continues to evolve under the leadership of stars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill. Along with the wealth and support of the IPL, the Central Contract remains the bedrock of financial security for Indian cricketers.

For fans, it’s fascinating to see how their favorite players are rewarded off the field for entertainment and pride for millions.

FAQs: People Also Ask

Q1. What is the highest BCCI central contract grade and salary?

Grade A+ is the highest, offering ₹7 crore annually plus additional match fees per game.

Q2. How many players are included in the Grade A+ category?

Currently, four players named, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya are placed in Grade A+.

Q3. Do IPL salaries affect BCCI central contracts?

No, IPL earnings are separate. Central contracts are fixed retainers given by the BCCI.

Q4. How much does an Indian cricketer earn for playing a Test match?

Each Test appearance earns an additional ₹15 lakh as the fees of the match and on top of yearly contract.

Q5. Can a player’s contract grade change every year?

Yes, the BCCI revises contracts yearly based on performances, injuries, and of course, consistency across formats.