Archive · 21 Aug 2026
BCCI Places Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli in Grade B
The BCCI gives Indian cricket players contracts for a season.
These contracts pay players a fixed amount of money each year.
Players are placed into Grades A, B or C. Grade A pays the most, while Grade C pays the least.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are now in Grade B. They retired from Test and T20I cricket but can still play ODIs.
Their lower grade reflects their smaller role across international formats.
Players can also earn match fees and extra performance-based payments.
The BCCI will review the grades after September 30, 2026.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been placed in Grade B of the BCCI’s 2025–26 central contracts.
Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are the only players listed in Grade A.
Grade B players receive an annual retainer of ₹3 crore, while Grade A and C retainers are ₹5 crore and ₹1 crore.
Rohit and Kohli previously held A+ contracts but now play only ODIs after retiring from Tests and T20Is.
The BCCI will reassess grades after the contract cycle ends on September 30, 2026, considering performance, availability and roles.
- Who
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India and India’s contracted cricketers, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
- What
- The BCCI has announced its 2025–26 central-contract grades, placing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Grade B.
- When
- The contracts cover 2025–26 and the current cycle ends on September 30, 2026.
- Where
- The contracts concern players representing India in international cricket.
- Why
- Rohit and Kohli moved from the previous A+ category because they retired from Tests and T20Is and remain available only for ODIs.
- Grade A retainer
- ₹5 crore annually
- Grade B retainer
- ₹3 crore annually
- Grade C retainer
- ₹1 crore annually
- Grade A players
- Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
- Placed in Grade B after previously being in the A+ category
- Additional earnings
- Players can receive match fees and performance-based incentives
- Contract-cycle end
- September 30, 2026