The BCCI Apex Council is set to review central contracts, potentially moving the seniors out of the ₹7 crore A+ category as Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill is poised for a promotion.
December 11, 2025: The future of the central contracts for star batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be a key discussion point during the BCCI’s Apex Council Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled virtually for December 22.
Both senior players, who have retired from Test and T20I cricket over the last year, now exclusively feature in ODIs for the national team. The BCCI brass will decide whether to maintain their elite A+ category status in the upcoming 2025–26 cycle.
Potential Salary Cut for Veterans
In the previous 2024–25 cycle (October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025), both Kohli and Rohit retained their A+ grading, which provides an annual retainer of INR 7 crore. This status was reportedly maintained due to a retrospective assessment based on their Test participation at the beginning of the cycle, despite them stepping away from the T20I format last June after the T20 World Cup win.
The central question for the AGM is whether their reduced commitment to only one format (ODIs) will lead to a demotion to Grade A (INR 5 crore retainer). A demotion would mean a salary reduction of INR 2 crore per player.
The current annual contract payouts are structured as:
- A+: INR 7 crore
- A: INR 5 crore
- B: INR 3 crore
- C: INR 1 crore
Shubman Gill Poised for A+ Upgrade
The report also suggests that there will be movement at the top of the contract structure. India’s current Test and ODI captain, Shubman Gill, is reportedly set for a promotion from Grade A to the exclusive A+ category.
Gill’s likely promotion is expected to see him join senior players Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the top bracket. Jadeja was also recently appointed vice-captain for India’s last Test assignment, underlining his importance across all formats.
The 31st AGM will also address other crucial topics, including a revision of the remuneration structure for umpires and match referees, as well as digital platform updates. This will be the first AGM since the recent administrative reshuffle within the BCCI’s Apex Council.