New Delhi:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has downgraded Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to Group B in its annual central contracts list for 2026, marking a significant shift in the board’s grading structure. The move was largely expected, as both senior cricketers currently play only the ODI format for India, following their retirement from Tests and T20 Internationals.
The BCCI also abolished the A+ category, which previously carried the highest retainership fee of ₹7 crore per year. With the removal of A+, the contracts are now divided into three categories—Group A, B, and C.
51 Players Awarded Central Contracts
On February 9, 2026, the BCCI announced annual central contracts for 51 players—30 men and 21 women.
In the men’s list, Shubman Gill, India’s captain in Tests and ODIs, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja were retained in Group A, reflecting their importance across multiple formats.
Although the BCCI did not disclose the retainership fees for this cycle, earlier structures valued Group A at ₹5 crore, Group B at ₹3 crore, and Group C at ₹1 crore annually.
Why Kohli and Rohit Were Downgraded
Kohli and Rohit were previously part of the elite A+ category, but their status as one-format players meant they no longer met the criteria for the top tier. As per BCCI policy, the highest category is reserved for players contributing across multiple formats.
The A+ category was originally introduced by the Committee of Administrators (COA) on the recommendation of former India captain MS Dhoni, and only four players ever qualified—Kohli, Rohit, Jadeja, and Bumrah.
End of A+ Category and Strategic Shift
With Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja no longer active across all formats, the BCCI decided against keeping a single player—Bumrah—in the A+ bracket. Sources suggest the selection committee is also uncertain about Shubman Gill’s status as a long-term all-format player, especially after he was omitted from the T20 World Cup squad.
As a result, the board opted to remove the A+ tier altogether, streamlining the contract system into three categories.