Why Kohli and Rohit May Face BCCI Demotion

New Delhi, December 11, 2025: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly gearing up to announce its new cycle of central contracts, and a major talking point is the potential demotion of two of India’s biggest stars: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Currently holding the elite Grade A+ contract, which guarantees an annual retainer of ₹7 crore, the duo is likely to be shifted to Grade A in the upcoming list, meaning a potential ₹2 crore reduction in their annual salary.

The Key Reason: Format Specialisation

The central contracts are structured to reward players based on their commitment and presence across formats. Historically, the Grade A+ category has been reserved for cricketers who consistently represent India in all three formats (Test, One-Day International, and T20 International) and are considered the team’s core, multi-format players.

The primary reason for the potential demotion of Kohli and Rohit stems from their changing role in the national team:

• Retirement from Formats: Both players have stepped away from Tests and T20Is over the last year, choosing to focus solely on the One-Day International (ODI) format. While they remain pivotal figures in the ODI squad, playing only a single format is understood to be the main sticking point in retaining their A+ status.

While they were kept in the A+ bracket in the last cycle, despite retiring from T20Is, this was reportedly based on a retrospective assessment of their Test involvement earlier in that year. Now, with both having stepped back from Test cricket as well, the board seems poised to enforce a stricter application of the multi-format rule for the top tier.

What Does the Demotion Mean?

The BCCI central contracts are divided into four main grades with varying annual retainers (as per the last contract cycle):

A move from Grade A+ to Grade A would mean their annual retainer fee decreases from ₹7 crore to ₹5 crore. It is crucial to remember that this retainer fee is separate from the match fees they earn for every game played for India. The move is more about setting a precedent for multi-format commitment than a serious financial blow, given their other earnings.

The Rise of New Stars

The expected demotion of the veteran players makes way for the next generation of all-format cricketers to step into the coveted A+ tier. Reports suggest that India’s current Test and ODI captain, Shubman Gill, is likely to be promoted to the A+ category, rewarding his consistency and presence in all three formats. Leading pacer Jasprit Bumrah and star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja are also expected to retain their places in the top bracket, solidifying their status as India’s premier multi-format players.

The final decision on the contracts, including the fate of Kohli and Rohit’s grade, is expected to be taken during the BCCI’s Apex Council meeting scheduled for later this month. This move underlines the BCCI’s commitment to prioritizing players who are available and contributing across all three formats, marking a clear generational shift in Indian cricket’s contract system.