The next round of BCCI central contracts might bring some surprising changes for Indian cricket superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
If reports are anything to go by, both players could end up taking a ₹2 crore pay cut. Why? Because the board is considering moving them from the elite Grade A+ category down to Grade A.
This possible downgrade isn’t about performance, it’s mainly because they aren’t as involved in Test cricket and T20Is anymore. And since these two formats play a big role in deciding who gets the top contract, the board is re-evaluating where they fit in the new structure.
The A+ category is basically the top shelf of BCCI’s contract system. Players who make it to this tier take home ₹7 crore a year, and it’s a super exclusive list—only those who regularly play all three formats usually get in. Right now, it includes India’s most dependable performers across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
However, these grades aren’t permanent. BCCI reviews them every year, looking at things like a player’s form, how often they play, their fitness, and even their commitment to domestic cricket. Since both Kohli and Rohit have stepped back from a couple of formats, the board is now rethinking whether they still fit into that top bracket.
Why Kohli and Rohit Might Be Demoted
The primary reason behind the possible demotion is their reduced presence in Test and T20I cricket. Both players retired from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup victory, and their limited involvement in the Test setup has also influenced the board’s evaluation.
BCCI gives high priority to players who consistently participate in Test cricket, as it is considered the backbone of the sport. With fewer appearances from the two senior stars in the longest format, the board is inclined to revise their grade to better reflect their current roles.
If moved to Grade A, Kohli and Rohit would earn ₹5 crore annually, which is ₹2 crore less than the current A+ retainership.
FAQs.
Q. Is Virat Kohli retiring from the ODI format?
A. Despite the speculations, Virat Kohli currently has no plans to retire from the ODI format.
Q. Why did BCCI remove Rohit Sharma from the ODI captaincy?
A. BCCI decided to remove Rohit Sharma from the ODI captaincy because they did not want three different captains for three different formats.
Q. Does Gautam Ghambir hate Virat Kohli?
A. Over the past years, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli have had some heated arguments, but these arguments were only on the pitch, and both of them have mutual respect for each other.
Q. Why did Rohit Sharma retire from test cricket?
A. Rohit Sharma retired from test cricket to manage his heavy workload and to focus on his ODI career.