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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Photograph: (X)
A major shake-up could be on the cards in the BCCI’s central contracts system, with senior stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma set to lose their elite status in the upcoming 2025–26 retainership list. According to sources, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has recommended doing away with the A-plus category altogether, potentially reshaping how India’s top cricketers are graded.
At present, the BCCI follows a four-tier contract structure - A+, A, B and C - with annual retainers ranging from Rs 7 crore at the top to Rs 1 crore at the base. Apart from financial remuneration, centrally contracted players enjoy year-round access to high-performance facilities, medical care and rehabilitation support.
The proposal to eliminate the A-plus bracket is still at the discussion stage and will be placed before the BCCI’s apex council in its next meeting. If approved, it would directly impact players currently placed in the highest tier.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who were part of the A-plus group in the 2024–25 season along with Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, are expected to slide down the hierarchy. With both Rohit and Kohli having stepped away from Test cricket midway through IPL 2025, they are now active only in the ODI format. Under existing norms, the top contract category is meant for players regularly representing India in at least two formats.
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Sources suggest that in the absence of the A-plus bracket, both Rohit and Kohli could be slotted into a lower tier, most likely Category B. Their demotion was already anticipated, given their reduced international workload.
The spotlight now shifts to Ravindra Jadeja, who continues to be a part of India’s Test setup, and Jasprit Bumrah, whose all-format presence strengthens his case to remain at the top. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill appears to be a strong contender for elevation, having recently taken over leadership responsibilities in both Tests and ODIs.