Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's grade A+ contract will continue despite their retirement: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia

ANI May 14, 2025 357 views

The BCCI has decided to retain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Grade A+ category despite their retirement from T20Is and Tests. Both players remain part of the Indian cricket team and will continue receiving top-tier benefits. Kohli retired as India's fourth-highest Test run-scorer, while Rohit ended his Test career as the 16th-highest scorer. Their contracts reflect their enduring value to Indian cricket.

"Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's grade A+ contract will continue despite their retirement from the T20Is and Tests." – Devajit Saikia
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's grade A+ contract will continue despite their retirement: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia
By Vipul Kashyap, New Delhi, May 14): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia on Wednesday confirmed that star India batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will stay in the Grade A+ category despite retiring from the T20Is and Tests.

Key Points

1

BCCI confirms Grade A+ contracts for Kohli and Rohit post-retirement

2

Both retired from Tests and T20Is but remain ODI players

3

Kohli is India's fourth-highest Test run-scorer

4

Rohit finishes as India's 16th-highest Test scorer

Earlier in April, the BCCI announced annual player retainership 2024-25 where Kohi and Rohit were put in the Grade A+ category along with right-arm seamer Jasprit Bumrah and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

"Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's grade A+ contract will continue despite their retirement from the T20Is and Tests. They are still part of the Indian cricket team, and they will get all the facilities of Grade A+," Devajit Saikia told ANI.

Ahead of the five-match England tour, which will kickstart India's ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign, Virat stunned the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from the format, drawing curtains to a 14-year-long, 123-match big career.

In his Test career, the 36-year-old made 123 appearances in white clothing, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties in 210 innings and the best score of 254*. He is India's fourth-highest run-getter in the format, behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,265 runs), and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs).

On May 7, Rohit announced his retirement from Test cricket after a career spanning 67 Tests and 11 years, ahead of the England tour, kickstarting India's ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle from June 20 onwards.

He amassed 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score of 212 came during a memorable home series against South Africa in 2019. He finishes as India's 16th-highest run-getter in the longest format.

In 2024, after the completion of the T20 World Cup, Virat and Rohit announced their retirement from the shortest international format.

In 35 T20 World Cup matches, Virat has scored 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, with 15 half-centuries. His best score is 89*. He is the highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament. In 125 T20I matches, Virat scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. He scored a century and 38 fifties, and a best score of 122*. He ends the format as the second-highest run-getter of all time.

On the other hand, in 151 T20I matches, Rohit has scored 4,231 runs at an average of 32.05 with a strike rate of over 140. He scored five centuries and 32 fifties in his career, with the best score of 121*. Rohit is also the leading run-scorer in the format.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Fully support BCCI's decision! These legends have given their blood and sweat for Indian cricket. Even after retirement, their experience will be invaluable for younger players. Deserve every penny of that A+ contract 🇮🇳🏏
P
Priya M.
While I respect Kohli and Rohit's contributions, shouldn't BCCI focus more on current players? Young talents like Gill and Jaiswal need better contracts too. The board should balance between honoring legends and investing in future.
A
Arjun S.
King Kohli and Hitman Sharma - forever our cricket heroes! 🏆 Their records speak for themselves. BCCI doing the right thing by keeping them in top grade. Hope they continue mentoring young players in IPL and domestic cricket.
S
Sneha R.
Emotional to see them retire from Tests and T20Is 😢 But happy they'll continue in ODIs. Their A+ contracts are well-deserved - they've carried Indian cricket on their shoulders for over a decade. True ambassadors of the game!
V
Vikram J.
Good move by BCCI but contracts should have performance clauses. What if their ODI form dips? They're legends no doubt, but sports contracts must have some accountability. Otherwise it sets wrong precedent.
N
Neha P.
Both have been match-winners for India across formats. Their experience in pressure situations is priceless. Hope they use this contract period to groom the next generation properly. #ThankYouVirat #ThankYouRohit

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