BCCI Confirms Kohli and Rohit Retain Grade A+ Contracts Despite Retirements

Kohli and Rohit Maintain Grade A+ Status

Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), announced on Wednesday that prominent Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will continue to hold their Grade A+ contracts, even after their recent retirements from T20 Internationals and Test matches. In April, the BCCI revealed the annual player retainership for 2024-25, placing Kohli and Rohit in the Grade A+ category alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.

"Despite their retirement from T20Is and Tests, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will keep their Grade A+ contracts. They remain integral to the Indian cricket team and will enjoy all the benefits associated with this grade," Saikia stated.

Virat Kohli shocked fans by announcing his retirement from Test cricket, concluding a remarkable 14-year career with 123 matches. He scored 9,230 runs at an impressive average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with a top score of 254*. Kohli ranks as India's fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

Rohit Sharma also declared his retirement from Test cricket on May 7, just before the England tour. Over 11 years, he played 67 Tests, accumulating 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score of 212 was achieved during a memorable series against South Africa in 2019, making him India's 16th-highest run-scorer in Tests.

Both players announced their retirement from T20 internationals after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Kohli has scored 1,292 runs in 35 T20 World Cup matches, averaging 58.72, and is the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer. In total, he has 4,188 runs in 125 T20I matches. Rohit, with 4,231 runs in 151 T20I matches, is also among the format's top scorers.