“Why not Sir Jadeja?” – Aakash Chopra on Ravindra Jadeja missing out on a Grade A+ contract

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annual contract list excludes Ravindra Jadeja from the list of players named as Grade A+, Aakash Chopra questions this exclusion. Having steadily grown in stature over the last few years, Ravindra Jadeja is one of the few constant picks in every Indian team, regardless of the format. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah have all been given A+ contracts, while Jadeja only received a Grade A contract. According to Aakash Chopra, in a video he posted to his YouTube channel, Ravindra Jadeja should have been included with the trio of Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah in the A+ contract list. He observed:

“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.”

Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul are expected to receive an upgrade to the highest contract in next year’s contract, says cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra. He elaborated:

“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.” As long as Jadeja and Rahul demonstrate the kind of performance they have recently displayed, they should continue to be upgraded to Grade A+.

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There’s no denying that Rishabh Pant has a lot of potential to compete for the task” – Aakash Chopra

Rishabh Pant was also mentioned as one of the players who should be considered highly, says Aakash Chopra. He explained:

“Having made Rishabh Pant the team’s vice-captain, you have placed him below KL Rahul. I believe both players should be elevated, and should be placed in the top 7 crores group.”

While highlighting that Suryakumar Yadav is the only new entrant on the contracted players’ list, the 44-year-old lauded the elevation of Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Siraj. Aakash Chopra reasoned:

“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.”