BCCI’s concept of introducing the A+ category for player contracts emerged from none other than the two leaders in the team – Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. The highest grade of player contracts was brought in to recognize the best performers in Indian cricket and rewarding them with the biggest paycheques. The A+ category contracted players will earn ₹7 crore as against ₹5 crore for A category, ₹3 crore for B category and ₹1 crore for C category.

Talking about the same to the ESPNcricinfo, CoA chairman, Vinod Rai said, “This suggestion originated from Virat and MS in the discussions. Their logic was this category would have only players featuring in all three formats, players who are in the top-10 rankings.”

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He further added, “They wanted a category of pure excellence where you perform and you are rewarded. And hence the players would not occupy a permanent slot in this category because if you don’t perform then you slip down the order.”

The early phase in the discussion began with former India coach Anil Kumble making a presentation to the BCCI top officials and CoA on removing the inequality in salaries between Indian players and their English or Australian players. Reportedly Kumble had recommended a top contract of ₹5 crore. As talks continued with CoA, Kohli, Dhoni and current coach Ravi Shastri recommended ascertaining the A+ category.

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Virat, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah are the players shortlisted for the A+ category. Excluding Bhuvneshwar, all others are top-10 in the ICC Rankings but he’s been playing crucial roles 3rin India’s fierce bowling unit. Players in this category would be “natural choice” for all three formats of the game which is why Ajinkya Rahane has reportedly missed out.

The players were shortlisted by the national selection committee comprising MSK Prasad, Sarandeep Singh and Devang Gandhi with neither the CoA or the BCCI management involved in the decision making.