The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly preparing for a seismic shift in its power structure. In a move that could see the legendary duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli lose their elite status, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has recommended a complete overhaul of the annual central contract system for the 2025-26 season, as per an ANI report citing sources within the BCCI,
BCCI central contracts overhaul: What’s the new proposal?
According to the report, the selection committee has suggested removing the top-tier A-plus category (Rs 7 crore) entirely. If the BCCI Apex Council approves this, it would mean the end of the exclusive bracket that has defined India’s “all-format” icons for years.
Why could Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma be demoted in BCCI’s central contracts?
Both Rohit and Virat retired from Test cricket in 2025 following the tour of Australia and had already stepped away from T20Is in 2024, they are now single-format (ODI) players.
Under the new logic, playing just one format makes it “impossible” to justify the highest pay bracket.
How much will Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma lose per year if they are demoted in BCCI central contract?
If the A-plus category is dissolved, the implications for the senior duo are financial and symbolic. The report suggests that Rohit and Virat are likely to be placed in Grade B (Rs 3 crore), skipping the Grade A (Rs 5 crore) bracket entirely, implying a Rs 4 crore financial loss per year.
Why are Kohli, Rohit being dropped to Group B not Group A?
The reason being cited for Rohit, Kohli’s demotion directly to Grade B and not Grade A is that the latter is typically reserved for those playing at least two formats.
Since the duo only features in ODIs, they may find themselves alongside the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel.
Will Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah get a Group A contract?
It remains to be seen how the board handles Jasprit Bumrah, who remains a vital all-format asset and is likely to get A contract. While the veterans face a downgrade, the “generation next” is ready for a windfall. Shubman Gill, now the captain in both Tests and ODIs, is expected to be the primary beneficiary.
Even if the A-plus category is scrapped, Gill is a lock for the highest available tier (Grade A), signaling a definitive passing of the torch in the BCCI’s financial hierarchy.