Just a few days ago the BCCI published the annual player central contracts for Indian Cricketers (Senior Men) for the season from October 2020 to September 2021. As usual, the list was divided into 4 categories with Grade A+ contract acquiring players INR 7 crore, Grade A earning players INR 5 crore, Grade B earning players INR 3 crores, and Grade C players earning INR 1 crore.
As anticipated the likes of captain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah were Grade A+ contracts but many believed that another few Indian cricketers deserved to be part of that elite group. Indian cricket is currently on top and some Indian cricketers have performed consistently for the team in the past year in all formats deserved a raise in BCCI’s central contracts.
In this feature, we look ahead at the Indian cricketers who were slightly unlucky and should have been upgraded in the BCCI central contract for 2020-21.
5 Indian Cricketers Who Deserved A Promotion In BCCI’s Central Contracts
5. KL Rahul
KL Rahul is now one of the most dependable Indian batsmen in white-ball cricket. The 29-year-old is now an experienced player who has won India countless matches in the recent past. Surprisingly Rahul has given a Grade A contract- INR 5 crores and could have easily been granted a Grade A+ contract.
Nevertheless, it seems Rahul will have to perform in Test cricket too as players who received the Grade A+ contracts have done that consistently. The upcoming year is a big one KL Rahul and if he can cement his place in all 3 formats he will surely be one of the Indian cricketers that receive the most elite BCCI contracts for the year 2021-2022.
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4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Probably the biggest shock in the BCCI annual contracts for Indian cricketers was Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s demotion from Grade A to Grade B. The Indian fast bowler even though was in and out of the team due to injuries but he certainly did not deserve a demotion in the annual contracts.
Since Bhuvneshwar has come back to the Indian side this year he has looked a class above all Indian bowlers. He is still India’s premier fast bowler alongside Bumrah in all 3 formats and certainly justified a Grade A-INR 5 crores.
3. Shreyas Iyer
The right-handed middle-order batsman has been one of the most consistent Indian batsmen in ODIs in the last year. Since breaking into India’s white-ball squad after the 2019 world cup, Iyer has always performed and made that crucial number 4 spot his own.
Many were expecting his name to be in the Grade A or B contract list but Iyer finds himself with a Grade C contract. The 26-year-old is currently out of action due to injury but with India playing a lot of T20I cricket in the upcoming year Iyer perhaps should have got a lift and earned at least a BCCI Grade B contract.
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2. Rishabh Pant
The one name that everyone was looking for when BCCI announced their central list contracts was Rishabh Pant. The Indian wicket-keeper batsman in the last 6 months has taken his game to another level in all 3 formats. Many were thinking that his name would be alongside Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah in Grade A+ contracts.
However, Pant didn’t receive an elevation and still has a Grade A contract which was a bit of a shocker. After his impressive performance in the Test series in Australia and the home series against England, it was probably time for Pant to skip and receive the most elite BCCI central contract.
Former selector MSK Prasad reckons the same as he said, “I can see Pant in A+ soon. He is not regular now but it will be difficult to ignore him for the grade. Both Jadeja and Pant could be at the top bracket soon,” he said. With the way Pant has been playing, it is only a matter of time he gets an A+ contract”.
Currently, Rishabh Pant is leading Delhi Capitals in IPL.
1. Ravindra Jadeja
When you are the premier all-rounder in Indian cricket and one of the best in the world you must have a Grade A+ BCCI annual contract but Ravindra Jadeja is still stuck with the Grade A contract. In the last 2 years, Jadeja has perhaps won India the most matches in all 3 formats and he should have been rewarded with the Grade A+ INR 7 crores contract.
The 32-year-old merited the advancement as he has been an integral part of team India’s side in all 3 formats much like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. When a performer like Jadeja was not rewarded like he should have been by the BCCI it amazed not only fans but also several former cricketers including Micheal Vaughan.
“Disgrace … he should be on the biggest behind Virat”, tweeted Vaughan.
Former selector MSK Prasad also came up in support of Jadeja receiving the Grade A+ BCCI contract and said, “Jadeja is a genuine A+ candidate. Those who play all formats and have good ICC rankings are included in the list. I cannot see any reason why he was not considered for A + Grade”.
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