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'I think his name should be there': Aakash wants India star with Rohit, Kohli, Bumrah in A+ category in BCCI contracts
Aakash Chopra wants the India star to be promoted to A+ category in the BCCI central contracts list.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) central contracts list for the 2021-22 cycle saw a number of ups and downs for multiple players. While the A+ category – the highest in BCCI's central contracts list – remained unchanged with captain Rohit Sharma, vice-captain Virat Kohli and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah retaining their places, Category A saw only five players for the 2021-22 cycle. In comparison, the 2021-22 cycle had 10 players in the A category.
India's Test specialists Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ishant Sharma, who lost their places in the side due to poor form last month, dropped to Category B alongside Hardik Pandya (C) and Shikhar Dhawan (C).
Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Mohammed Shami are a part of Category A in the latest central contracts. However, former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that Jadeja should have been promoted to A+ category due to his consistent performances for the Indian team in the past.
“The category where there was no change is the A+ category, were Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah are there. But why not Ravindra Jadeja? I think Jadeja's name should be there in that list. In the next central contract list, I believe Jadeja's name will be there in that category because he has performed so brilliantly,” Chopra said.
Jadeja had been a part of India's T20 World Cup campaign last month and appeared in the Test series against New Zealand in November. However, an injury forced him out of the side for the away series against South Africa. The all-rounder made a splendid return to the international setup with the limited-overs home series against Sri Lanka, and enjoyed a stellar outing in the first Test against the same side (175*; 5/41 & 4/46).
Along with Jadeja, Chopra also wants KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant in the A+ category in the next contract list.
“Currently, Jadeja is in Grade A. In the next list, I think both Jadeja and KL Rahul will be in the A+ category. Rishabh Pant is going to be a massive contender. He is the vice-captain of the team. All of them should be pushed to A+ category,” said the former India batter.
