Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma to Retain Grade A+ Central Contracts Post Retirement: BCCI
In a significant move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will continue to receive Grade A+ central contracts, despite announcing their retirement from T20 Internationals and Test cricket. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia made the announcement on Wednesday, emphasizing the duo’s continued influence in Indian cricket.
Both Kohli and Sharma remain pivotal figures in the national setup and will enjoy all the privileges associated with the elite Grade A+ category. In the BCCI’s 2024–25 player retainership list, the two legendary batters were named in the top tier alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
Virat Kohli ends his Test career with 123 matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. In T20 Internationals, he played 125 games and amassed 4,188 runs at a stunning average of 48.69, with one century. Notably, he holds the record for the most runs in T20 World Cup history, with 1,292 runs.
Rohit Sharma retires from Tests after 67 matches, scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries. In T20Is, he featured in 151 matches and scored 4,231 runs at an average of 32.05. He also holds the record for the most T20I centuries, with five, and finishes as the format’s leading run-scorer.
Their departure from Test and T20I cricket marks the end of an illustrious era, but their retention in the Grade A+ bracket highlights their continued value to Indian cricket — particularly in the ODI format and as mentors to the next generation.
