 "Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could be demoted in BCCI annual contracts, while Shubman Gill could receive a big promotion. Image: PTI")
Having retired from Tests earlier his yar, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set for demotion in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) central contracts for the 2025-26 season. Kohli and Rohit are currently in the A+ category, earning a guaranteed annual salary of Rs 7 crore from the BCI.
But they could soon be demoted to Grade A, which has an annual payout of Rs 5 crore. The decision regarding the same would be made during BCCI’s 31st AGM on 22 December, during which the top brass of the board will come together, news agency PTI has reported. Also on the agenda would be the contracts of women players in domestic cricket.
Kohli, Rohit set for demotion in BCCI contracts
Despite retiring from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup, Kohli and Rohit had been retained in the highest A+ category for the 2024–25 season (1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025) as they were still part of the Test side. Generally, the A+ category is reserved for all-format players.
Besides Rohit and Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are also part of the A+ grade. However, as both Kohli and Rohit retired from Tests earlier this year, they could be demoted to A Grade. Jadeja may also witness a demotion.
If Kohli and Rohit are demoted, then their salaries would be cut down by Rs 2 crore annually.
BCCI annual contract payouts:
Grade A+: Rs 7 crore
Grade A: Rs 5 crore
Grade B: Rs 3 crore
Gradee C: Rs 1 crore
Gill set to join A+ category
Another player who could earn a big promotion in Test and ODI captaincy, Shubman Gill. The 26-year-old is currently part of the Grade A category, but with his elevation to captaincy posts in Test, ODIs and vice-captaincy duty in T20Is, a promotion to the A+ category is inevitable for Gill.
The 22 December AGM would also be the first for new BCCI president, Mithun Manhas, who recently took over from Roger Binny, while Raghuram Bhatt was appointed as the treasurer.