Despite retiring from T20Is, Kohli and Rohit to earn ₹7 crore each under BCCI’s A+ grade for 2025–26; Iyer poised for comeback after strong domestic performances
New Delhi, April 1:
Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to retain their A+ BCCI central contracts for the 2025–26 season, earning ₹7 crore annually — despite both having retired from the T20I format after lifting the T20 World Cup last year in Barbados.
According to BCCI sources, the board wants to “honour their stature and contributions” by continuing their top-tier contracts, even amid recent dips in form.
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer — who was dropped from the previous central contract list for allegedly skipping domestic duties despite being fit — is poised to make a comeback, thanks to a sensational run of form in India’s domestic circuit.
“Rohit and Virat will continue their A+ grade central contract. They are big players and will be accorded the respect they deserve. Shreyas Iyer is all set to be back in central contract,” a senior BCCI official told ANI.
Kohli & Rohit’s Form Under the Scanner
While they remain legends of the game, both Kohli and Rohit have endured rough patches lately. Rohit, who once dominated in all formats, has struggled across multiple series. He managed just 91 runs in three Tests against New Zealand, averaging 15.17, and only 31 runs in five innings in Australia, averaging a dismal 6.20.
Kohli too has faced criticism after scoring just 190 runs in 10 innings in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In 2024, he scored only 655 runs from 23 matches, averaging 21.83.
Despite these setbacks, their legacies and continued value in ODI and Test cricket have ensured their place in the top bracket.
Shreyas Iyer: Redemption Through Domestic Grit
Shreyas Iyer’s return to the central contract list comes on the back of a dominant domestic season. After being left out for skipping domestic cricket, the stylish batter responded by scoring 480 runs in five Ranji Trophy matches for Mumbai at an average of 68.57.
He also impressed in white-ball tournaments, notching up 345 runs in nine games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and 325 runs at an astonishing average of 325.00 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Capping off his resurgence, Shreyas starred in India’s Champions Trophy-winning campaign in February, where he ended as India’s top scorer with 243 runs in five games.
His reintegration into the BCCI contract list marks a rewarding return for a player who has proven his dedication to the game — and to the domestic grind.
With the 2025–26 contract cycle shaping up, all eyes will now be on how these players perform as India gears up for an intense international calendar ahead.