BCCI may have A-plus contracts for Indian cricketers

The Supreme Court- appointed Committee Of Administrators (COA) have decided to introduce a fourth category in contracts of India's international cricketers

Mahendra Singh Dhoni 

The Supreme Court- appointed Committee Of Administrators (COA) have decided to introduce a fourth category in contracts of India's international cricketers. During yesterday's marathon meeting at the Cricket Centre, it was decided to introduce an additional A-plus category apart from the usual A, B and C. "The A-plus category will mostly have cricketers who are consistent or regulars in the Indian team in all three formats," a source said. The COA have also laid down some guidelines. "There are some parameters like ICC rankings and performances against opposition that will help in gauging the player's category," added the source.

In such a scenario, MS Dhoni may not be an automatic choice for the A-plus category since he only plays limited overs cricket, while R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who are not in India's limited overs scheme of things currently, may still make it to the highest grade based on their ICC Test rankings. The contracts system will also factor in the rotation policy which means players who are rested won't lose out. The proposed grading could prevent players from running away with contracts only on the basis of performances against a minnow team. The proposal will first be sent to the BCCI's finance committee before formal adoption. "The treasurer has been given the task of working on the pay hike percentage for the players. It will be done in accordance to the 26 per cent formula," said the source. Currently, an A grade cricketer earns R2 crore annually.

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