The annual announcement of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) central contracts always generates significant anticipation, but this year’s discussion is centered around an unexpected development—the potential BCCI pay cut for Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Reports strongly suggest that the iconic duo, currently placed in the elite Grade A+ bracket, could be downgraded to Grade A because of their reduced participation in Test and T20I cricket.
If confirmed, this downgrade would cost each player a sizeable ₹2 crore, reducing their annual retainer from ₹7 crore to ₹5 crore. While the news has sparked shockwaves among fans, the reasoning behind this likely move is deeply rooted in the BCCI’s established contract structure and performance-based criteria.
The Unflinching Logic Behind the BCCI Central Contracts System
The BCCI central contracts are not just a payment structure—they are a performance-driven mechanism designed to reward consistency, commitment, and contribution across all international formats. The system is crafted to incentivize players to excel across Test, ODI, and T20I cricket, with a special emphasis on preserving the importance of Test cricket, long regarded as the sport’s highest pedestal.
These contracts are revised annually, and the next update is due soon. Given Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s strategic withdrawal from certain formats, the policy-driven structure is now under the spotlight. The potential BCCI pay cut for India’s biggest stars illustrates how strictly the board adheres to its principles, regardless of stature.
Understanding the Four Tiers of BCCI Retainership
The BCCI’s central contract system is divided into four categories, each offering a fixed annual retainer apart from match fees. These contracts are awarded after carefully evaluating format participation, performance, and overall contribution.
BCCI Contract Grades and Retainers
| Grade | Annual Retainer | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | ₹7 Crore | Reserved for consistent all-format stars with major Test impact |
| A | ₹5 Crore | Regulars in two formats |
| B | ₹3 Crore | Consistent contributors in one format or transitioning players |
| C | ₹1 Crore | Players meeting minimum match requirements or emerging talents |
This structure is finalized through discussions involving the selectors, the head coach, and the team captain, ensuring the grading reflects current team needs and future planning.
The Format Priority—Why All-Format Commitment Matters Most
The BCCI’s approach is crystal clear: Test cricket is the foundation of top-tier contracts. This approach places premium value on players who contribute to all formats, especially the red-ball game.
Key factors influencing contract decisions include:
1. Format Participation
The A+ category is exclusively for players active in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Any withdrawal from a major format, especially tests, impacts eligibility.
2. Performance and Consistency
Strong performances, match influence, and consistency remain vital benchmarks.
3. Minimum Match Criteria
To qualify even for Grade C, players must meet minimum participation:
At least 3 Tests, or
8 ODIs, or
10 T20Is in the contract cycle.
4. Domestic Cricket Commitment
Centrally contracted players must participate in the Ranji Trophy when not on national duty. Non-compliance previously resulted in the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from the central contracts list.
These criteria, while straightforward, now place both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in a complicated position.
Why Kohli and Sharma May Face a Downgrade
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have each enjoyed the lucrative ₹7 crore Grade A+ retainership for years. However, their roles have evolved, particularly after their retirement from T20Is in 2024 and their recent decision to step away from Test cricket in early 2025.
By exiting two major formats—one of them being the highly prioritized Test cricket—they no longer meet the fundamental requirements for the A+ category, which demands all-format involvement.
Given the BCCI’s strict, rule-based system, a downgrade to Grade A appears inevitable. This reassignment would reduce their annual contract value from ₹7 crore to ₹5 crore—a substantial ₹2 crore pay cut, making headlines as a symbolic shift in Indian cricket’s transition phase.
Importantly, this move is not a reflection of their ability or value to Indian cricket but rather an administrative response to their reduced participation in the format.
The Jadeja Exception—Why He May Stay A+
One intriguing aspect of the upcoming contract cycle is the likely retention of Ravindra Jadeja in the A+ list, despite his retirement from T20Is. Jadeja continues to be a crucial figure in Test cricket and remains active in ODIs.
His dual-format consistency—combined with his unmatched value in red-ball cricket—strengthens his claim to remain in the top bracket alongside players like Jasprit Bumrah, who continues to be an all-format spearhead.
This exception reaffirms the BCCI’s prioritization of Test cricket rather than requiring three-format presence at all costs.
Final Outlook—Will the BCCI Apply the Rulebook to Its Legends?
As anticipation builds for the next round of central contracts, the projected BCCI pay cut for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma signals an important crossroads. The board appears committed to its structural rules: to stay in the top tier, players must commit to all formats or at least maintain strong test involvement.
The ₹2 crore deduction, though sizeable, sends a clear message—performance and participation outweigh personal legacy in the BCCI’s modern contractual framework.
This decision could mark a significant turning point in India’s cricketing landscape, as new-generation players like Shubman Gill rise to occupy the all-format responsibilities once held by Kohli and Sharma.