Ravindra Jadeja should have been there in A+ contract list – Aakash Chopra

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes Ravindra Jadeja should be there in A+ contract list which was recently released by the BCCI.

The Indian board decided to retain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah in the A+ contract list, and Jadeja stays put in the A contract list.

It is worth mentioning A+ contract players are paid INR 7 crores annually by the BCCI whereas A contract players get INR 5 crores annually. As Jadeja has been a consistent performer for the Indian team in all three forms of the game, he could have been upgraded to the highest contract category. Jadeja had scored a fine knock of 175 runs and also scalped nine wickets in the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Mohali.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah will get 7 crores rupees. There is no change in that category. And I feel why not Sir Jadeja? Sir Jadeja’s name should also be there in this list.”

The renowned commentator added KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja will be upgraded to the A+ category in the next contract update.

“I feel Ravindra Jadeja’s name will go in the A+ category when the next contract renewal happens because his performance has been so good. His name is in Grade A currently. I feel Jadeja and KL Rahul’s name will start going to A+ next time.”

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant has also performed consistently for the Indian team, especially in Test cricket and Chopra feels the wicket-keeper batter is also a massive contender for the highest grade.

“Rishabh Pant is going to be a massive contender, you have made him the team’s vice-captain but have placed him below. The same is for KL Rahul, move them up, get them to the 7 crores group, that’s what I feel.”

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav was the only new contracted player whereas Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, and Axar Patel made a move from Grade C to Grade B.

“There is only one new contracted player – that’s Suryakumar Yadav. The three promoted players – who have come from Grade C to Grade B – they are Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Siraj, which is okay. Axar Patel has got a great start to his Test career, Shreyas Iyer’s role has increased and Mohammed Siraj is a definite plus.”

India will next face Sri Lanka in the second Test match at Bengaluru from Saturday.