BCCI Central Contract: Axar Patel Demoted to Grade C for 2025-26.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the list of annual central contracts for the 2025-26 cricket season. Among the various updates, the most significant highlight is the demotion of senior all-rounder Axar Patel. Previously positioned in Grade B, Patel has now been moved to Grade C. This decision has come as a surprise to many, considering Patel's role as the current vice-captain of the Indian T20 international squad and his long-standing presence in the national setup. The move reflects the board's stringent evaluation process based on format-specific participation and performance metrics.

Reasons Behind the Grade Demotion

According to analysts, the primary reason for Axar Patel's shift from Grade B to Grade C is his lack of participation in Test cricket during the 2024-25 cycle. During this period, Patel didn't feature in a single Test match for the Indian team. The BCCI's contracting policy heavily weights appearances across all three formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. While Patel remained a part of the limited-overs squads, his absence from the longest format of the game Notably impacted his grading. To maintain a Grade B status, players are generally expected to be regular features in at least two formats, a criterion that Patel reportedly fell short of in the previous season.

Expert Opinions and Public Reaction

The demotion has drawn sharp reactions from the cricketing fraternity. Former Indian cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra expressed his concerns on social media, questioning what more a player like Axar Patel needs to do to secure his standing. Chopra highlighted Patel's utility as a multi-dimensional player who contributes Notably with both bat and ball, while fans have also voiced their disappointment, pointing out Patel's crucial contributions during the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, cricket experts suggest that the BCCI's grading system is purely data-driven and focuses on the volume of matches played in the specific contract cycle rather than historical seniority or individual match-winning cameos.

Axar Patel's 12-Year International Career

Axar Patel has been an integral part of the Indian cricket ecosystem for over 12 years, having made his international debut in 2014. Over the course of his career, he has represented India in 15 Tests, 71 ODIs, and 88 T20Is. He has accumulated over 2200 runs and claimed more than 200 wickets across all formats. His record in Test cricket, particularly on subcontinental tracks, has been exemplary in the past. Despite his vast experience and recent leadership role in the T20 format, the move to Grade C signifies a shift in the board's priority towards players who are consistently available for the Test format, which remains the pinnacle of the BCCI's evaluation hierarchy.

Financial Implications of the Contract Grades

The BCCI central contract system is divided into four distinct categories: Grade A+, Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C, while the financial remuneration for these grades is fixed at ₹7 crore, ₹5 crore, ₹3 crore, and ₹1 crore per annum, respectively. Axar Patel's move from Grade B to Grade C results in a reduction of ₹2 crore in his annual retainer fee. This structural adjustment serves as a clear indicator from the board that consistent participation in Test cricket is essential for higher-tier contracts. The financial gap between the grades is designed to incentivize players to maintain fitness and form across all formats of the game throughout the year.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

While the demotion is a setback for Axar Patel, it isn't an irreversible situation. The BCCI's annual review process allows players to move back up the ladder based on their performance in the upcoming season. With several high-profile Test series and the Champions Trophy on the horizon, Patel will have ample opportunities to reclaim his spot in the higher grades. Analysts believe that if Patel can break back into the Test playing XI and continue his consistent performance in white-ball cricket, he remains a strong candidate for a promotion in the next contract cycle. For now, the focus remains on how the all-rounder responds to this administrative change on the field.

BCCI putting Axar Patel in Grade C is actually wild. 🤡

The man is literally the T20I Vice Captain, an all-format regular, and match-winner in home Tests. How do you check every single box for "utility player" and still get hit with a demotion?

The disrespect to Bapu is unreal. pic.twitter.com/ckRT4Y0Uwc

— Rishitkkk (@RishitKhanna6) February 9, 2026

Axar Patel ko aur kya karna hoga to get what he deserves?
Three format player. Vice-captain in one format.
Grade-C??
Also, if Jadeja and Gill are in Grade-A, why aren’t Hardik, Rahul and Kuldeep?? Even Arshdeep shouldn’t be in Grade-C.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 9, 2026