Despite stepping away from both Test cricket and T20 Internationals, Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will continue to hold their Grade A+ central contracts with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), earning ₹7 crore annually—the highest bracket in India’s player pay structure.
The announcement brings clarity to weeks of speculation around the contract status of the two veterans, who retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup win in 2024 and from Test cricket earlier this month.
“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s grade A (+) contract will continue despite their retirement from the T20Is and Tests. They are still part of the Indian cricket team, and they will get all the facilities of Grade A (+),” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told ANI.
Contracts confirmed before Test retirements
The 2024–25 BCCI annual retainership cycle, covering the period from October 2024 to September 2025, was publicly released on April 21—prior to the duo’s retirement from Tests. Kohli and Rohit were awarded A+ contracts alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
Both players met the performance criteria for central contracts based on appearances during the contract period. Rohit played 6 Tests and 8 ODIs, while Kohli featured in 8 Tests and 7 ODIs, surpassing the minimum eligibility of 3 Tests, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is required even for a Grade C contract.
Rohit and Kohli’s exits mark end of an era
Rohit Sharma retired from Tests on May 7, followed by Virat Kohli on May 12. Their departures signal the end of two of the most celebrated red-ball careers in modern Indian cricket and have left a significant leadership vacuum ahead of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Having already exited T20Is following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win in the USA and West Indies, both players are now expected to focus solely on the ODI format moving forward.
Shubman Gill in line to lead Test side
The leadership transition is already underway, with Shubman Gill emerging as the frontrunner to captain India in Tests. Rishabh Pant is expected to serve as his deputy when India begins its five-match WTC series in England starting June 20 at Lord’s.
Though Jasprit Bumrah is also in the A+ contract bracket, his persistent injury issues make him a less likely candidate for captaincy. Ravindra Jadeja, another A+ player, had already retired from T20Is—mirroring the decisions made by Rohit and Kohli.
BCCI’s decision brings contract clarity
The confirmation of continued top-tier contracts for Kohli and Rohit ensures stability and transparency in BCCI’s player management approach. Their sustained excellence and ongoing availability for ODIs justified their retention in the highest pay grade, despite reduced format participation.
As the Indian team gears up for a new generation to take over the red-ball responsibilities, Kohli and Rohit remain central to the ODI setup—and among the highest earners in Indian cricket.
