Bumrah A+ exit leaves ₹2cr gap, BCCI to rethink pay
Jasprit Bumrah’s removal from the A+ contract tier in March 2026 has left a ₹2 crore gap in BCCI’s central contracts, forcing the board to reconsider its pay model to protect top earners.
The board scrapped the A+ category, previously worth ₹7 crore annually, citing a shortage of all-format players, but Bumrah’s case has exposed flaws in the system. Despite injuries, he remains one of India’s most influential bowlers across formats, making the downgrade controversial.
“We may need to reassess things so players don’t lose what they were earning,” a BCCI official admitted.
Another insider added: “The idea was to simplify contracts, but you can’t ignore elite performers.”
A former selector noted: “Bumrah is still among the best in all formats, his value shouldn’t drop.”
With Bumrah central to India’s plans, the board now faces pressure to balance financial structure with rewarding its biggest match-winners.