BCCI Central Contract 2025-26: Grade A+ axed; Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to be demoted

Virat Kohli, Rohit to get demoted in BCCI central contract [Source: X]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is set to introduce a new central contract in the coming days. BCCI central contract retainers are typically renewed annually, with the 2025–26 retainership expected to be announced soon. 

However, in a major twist, according to ANI sports journalist Vipul Kashyap, the Grade A+ category will be excluded from the central contract moving forward.

For context, the BCCI central contract currently has four grades based on payment structures: Grade A+ receives Rs 7 crore, Grade A gets Rs 5 crore, Grade B receives Rs 3 crore, and Grade C gets Rs 1 crore.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to be demoted to Grade B?

In the previous 2024–25 BCCI central contract, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja were retained in the Grade A+ category.

According to the recent report, however, the Grade A+ category will be removed, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma likely to slip to Grade B, although the revised payment structure for this grade has not yet been disclosed.

vipul kashyap

@kashyapvipul

Breaking ::; BCCI will introduce a new central contract soon, Grade A+ will be excluded from now onwards, Virat and Rohit are likely to shift in Grade B @BCCI @ImRo45 @imVkohli

The downgrade of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli reflects their current playing status, which impacts the grading and their annual retainers. Since both players are no longer participating in the T20I and Test formats, it is plausible that they will be moved to Grade B, where they will play fewer matches for India. However, this is yet to be officially confirmed by the BCCI.

When will the BCCI central contract 2025-26 be released?

The 2025–26 central contract, expected to be announced in late January or early February, will cover the October 2025 to September 2026 cycle. BCCI central contracts are reviewed annually by the BCCI, head coach, and team captain, who are responsible for finalising the grades and categories of players.

To be eligible for a BCCI central contract, a player must have played a minimum number of international matches: three Tests, eight ODIs, or ten T20Is. It is also important to note that the central retainer is separate from match fees and can be added individually.

How did Rohit and Kohli perform after Test and T20I retirement?

The performances of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, however, have not been a downturn, as both have maintained solid form after their Test and T20I retirements.

Kohli's peak form is back

In the Australia series, Kohli scored 74 runs in the third ODI and carried his form into the South Africa series, where he notched two centuries and amassed 302 runs from three matches at an average of 151.00 with a strike rate of 170.

Virat Kohli continued his excellent form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring a century and a 77-run knock, accumulating 208 runs from two matches. In the New Zealand series, he followed up with scores of 93 and 124, finishing with an average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.

Rohit Sharma blows hot and cold

Speaking of Rohit Sharma, though his recent performances have been less consistent, he had a strong series in Australia, scoring 73 and 121 with an average of 101. In the South Africa series, he averaged 48.67, scoring 75 and 57 runs across three matches.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Sharma produced a spectacular 155 off 94 balls against Sikkim, showcasing the firepower that the duo has left behind.

However, all of these performances are in limited formats, and considering team standings, rankings, and discussions between Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill, it is likely that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may be downgraded in the upcoming BCCI central contract.