What is BCCI Central Contract? Indian Cricketers Salaries Per Year
Millions of fans in India treat cricket as a religion and thus, from that only you can imagine just how much Indian cricketers enjoy massive popularity and recognition along with extensive media coverage, and sponsorship deals. However, their earnings are not just limited to match fees. Their income mainly comes from one of India’s most structured and reliable sources for Indian players, the BCCI Central Contract.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced this system to make sure that players are rewarded fairly for their services as well as their performances across different formats.
In this article, we will be breaking down about the BCCI Central Contract as per the 2025 updated contracts.
What is BCCI Central Contract?
The BCCI Central Contract is a structured annual payment system designed to financially secure Indian cricketers based on their contribution, seniority, and consistency. Introduced in 2001, the scheme classifies players into different categories or grades, with each grade offering a fixed yearly retainer fee along with match fees. This ensures that players who regularly represent India are rewarded handsomely, while emerging talents also receive financial backing and encouragement. The contract acts as both recognition of a player’s value and a motivation 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 the fixed yearly 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 doesn’t fall in the top grade, they still earn by featuring in matches regularly.
BCCI Central Contract Categories and Salaries (2025 Updated)
As of 2025, here’s a breakdown of the Indian cricketers’ salaries per year under the central contract system:
1. Grade A+ (₹7 Crore per year)
This is the elite category, reserved for the absolute best who are match-winners in all formats. Players in this group not only carry immense 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 year, (endorsements and match fees excluded).
2. Grade A (₹5 Crore per year)
The Grade A list includes consistent performers who are important to India’s success but may not play every format regularly.
- 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 designed for regular contributors who may feature 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 those trying to cement 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 a major income source, it’s 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 at a rapid speed and new formats such as franchise T20 leagues gaining importance, BCCI may even be considering revising its contract structure further. Discussions are ongoing about format-specific contracts. This would make sure a fair pay distribution and encourage players to excel in particular formats.
Conclusion
The BCCI Central Contract is recognition of hard work, and contribution to Indian cricket. With structured grades and transparent payments, it shows that players are rewarded for their talent and effort. In 2025, with stars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shubman Gill leading the way, the system continues to evolve. Alongside IPL riches and endorsements, the central contract remains a cornerstone of financial security for Indian cricketers.
For fans, it’s fascinating to see how their favorite players are rewarded off the field for the entertainment and pride they bring to millions.
