Bumrah's ₹2 crore hit : BCCI scrambles to make it right with special plan

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a major change to the central contracts issued for the year 2025-26, which has created a stir in the cricket world. The board has decided to completely eliminate the highest-paid A+ category. Team India's biggest match-winner and fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is bearing the brunt of this surprising decision. Last time, this top category included Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. Now, Kohli and Rohit play only ODIs, while Jadeja serves in Tests and ODIs. Of these, Bumrah is the only player left who is consistently available for Team India in all three formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20s).

Bumrah's salary has been cut drastically due to the loss of his A+ category

When the BCCI initially created the A+ category, the rule was clear that it would only be eligible for players who played all three formats and were in the top 10 of the ICC rankings in one format. Players in this elite category received a hefty annual fee of ₹7 crore (70 million rupees) from the board. However, with this category abolished, Jasprit Bumrah has been shifted to Grade A. Players in Grade A are paid ₹5 crore (50 million rupees) annually. Consequently, despite playing all three formats, Bumrah is facing a direct loss of ₹2 crore (20 million rupees).

Cricket board came into action to compensate for the loss

According to a report in the Times of India, the BCCI itself is in a dilemma regarding Bumrah's loss. Given his tremendous performance and importance across all three formats, the board is now looking for a way to compensate him for the loss of ₹2 crore (approximately $20 million). A board source stated that officials fully understand that reducing the fee of Bumrah, the world's best bowler, from ₹7 crore (approximately $50 million) to ₹5 crore (approximately $50 million) is not justified. Therefore, it is expected that a new change in Bumrah's contract valuation may be made soon.

Questions have also been raised about Axar Patel's category, a new announcement could be made soon

In addition to Bumrah, the case of star all-rounder Axar Patel has also become controversial. Despite consistently performing well in limited-overs cricket and being a key part of the Test squad, Axar has been relegated to Grade C, where players receive only ₹1 crore annually. The BCCI has included a total of 30 players in the central contracts this time. Grade A includes Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, while Grade B includes 11 players and Grade C includes 16 players. However, the board has not yet officially disclosed the amount of pay each player will receive this time. Following these shortcomings in the salary structure that have emerged regarding Bumrah and Axar, it is believed that the BCCI may soon make a new and clear announcement regarding the pay structure.