Why was Axar Patel downgraded in BCCI contract list 2026? The move has sparked debate because Axar is vice-captain of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad and remains a key white-ball allrounder, yet his name appears in Category C in the BCCI contract list 2026.
The BCCI contracts 2025-26, part of the annual contract BCCI structure, cover the period from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. Axar Patel BCCI contract status shows a shift from Grade B last cycle to Category C this year — a decision rooted more in contract evaluation mechanics than reputation. Axar isn’t the only one to be left shocked by the BCCI contract list 2026. Ishan Kishan missing BCCI contract list 2026 also raised significant questions.
Why Was Axar Patel Downgraded In BCCI Contract List 2026?
To understand why was Axar Patel downgraded in BCCI contract list 2026, one must examine how the BCCI central contract system works.
During the evaluation window, Axar featured in 1 Test, 3 ODIs and 10 T20Is. While he remains an all-format option, the number of matches played across formats appears to have influenced central contract BCCI grading. The BCCI contract list 2026 reflects participation volume and format balance during the review period, not future projections.
This has led to questions such as: Why Axar Patel moved from Grade B to C? and Does number of formats affect BCCI central contract decisions? The answer appears to be yes. The BCCI annual contract model rewards sustained involvement across formats during the designated cycle.
How BCCI Central Contract Evaluation Works
The BCCI central contract is structured around a fixed review period. The BCCI contracts 2025-26 were finalised based on contributions between October 2025 and September 2026.
This raises related queries like:
- How many matches did Axar play during contract cycle?
- Is Axar Patel out of Test plans?
- Does limited Test involvement impact grading?
While Axar is not out of India’s plans, his reduced Test appearances compared to earlier cycles likely played a part in the BCCI contract list 2026 decision.
BCCI Central Contracts Salary Structure Explained
Axar’s downgrade has also renewed interest in the BCCI central contracts salary framework and how much players earn under each grade.
Under the previous annual contract BCCI structure (2024-25 cycle), the salary slabs were:
- Grade A+ (Top Tier) – ₹7 crore per year
- Grade A salary – ₹5 crore per year
- Grade B salary – ₹3 crore per year
- Grade C salary – ₹1 crore per year
These figures represented the fixed BCCI contract salary, excluding match fees.
However, the BCCI contract list 2026 has removed the Grade A+ category entirely. The system now operates with three levels — Category A, B and C. This has created uncertainty around whether the previous ₹7 crore top bracket has been merged into Grade A salary or internally restructured.
As a result, there is heightened curiosity around updated BCCI central contracts salary figures, particularly how the Grade B salary compares with the current Category B bracket and where the BCCI Grade C salary stands under the revised system.
While official confirmation is awaited, a move from the former Grade B to Category C would historically suggest a shift from the mid-tier bracket toward the base contract slab.
Axar’s Current Role And Long-Term View
Despite the grading shift in the BCCI contract list 2026, Axar remains central to India’s white-ball plans and will serve as vice-captain at the T20 World Cup.
Speaking recently, he said, “I don’t need to do anything new or take pressure just because it is a World Cup.” On long-term ambitions, Axar added that he prefers not to set rigid expectations, choosing instead to focus on contributing positively in the present moment.
So, why was Axar Patel downgraded in BCCI contract list 2026?
The answer appears rooted in participation metrics within the BCCI central contract evaluation cycle rather than performance or leadership status.
The BCCI contracts 2025-26 reflect structural criteria tied to format involvement and review windows. While Axar’s Category C placement may influence his BCCI contract salary bracket, it does not diminish his standing in India’s T20 plans.
If his all-format involvement increases during the current cycle, a return to a higher grade in the next BCCI contract list review remains entirely possible.
BCCI Contract List 2026
A full breakdown of the BCCI Contract List 2026 with Axar Patel in Grade C category.
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Category A | Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja |
| Category B | Washington Sundar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer |
| Category C | Axar Patel, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Dhruv Jurel, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, B Sai Sudharsan, Ravi Bishnoi, Ruturaj Gaikwad |
For schedule, venues and latest updates, see our T20 World Cup 2026 news page.
