🏏🔥 Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma Set for BCCI Contract Demotion?
🌍 A Storm Brewing in Indian Cricket Contracts
Indian cricket is again at the center of a massive structural shift — and this time, it isn’t about formats, selection, or captaincy.
It’s about money, hierarchy, and the biggest names in Indian cricket.
According to reports emerging from Indian media, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — two of India’s greatest modern legends — are likely to be demoted in the BCCI central contracts list for 2025–26.
And the cricket world is stunned.
Why?
Because these two titans of Indian cricket have been untouchable for over a decade — the superstars, the anchors of Indian batting, the icons of every global ICC event.
But cricket is changing. India's team structure is changing. And with it, the BCCI’s contract philosophy is evolving too.
Both Rohit and Kohli have now:
- Retired from T20Is
- Withdrawn from Test cricket
- Limited themselves to ODIs only
This has sparked a serious question:
Should all-format contracts still apply to two players who now play only one format?
The BCCI believes the answer might be no — and the demotion being discussed would result in a salary reduction of INR 2 crore each, shifting them from the A+ category to the A category.
But what does this mean for:
- The players
- India’s team dynamics
- Future contracts
- BCCI leadership strategy
- Shubman Gill’s rise
- The legacy of Rohit & Kohli
- Indian cricket’s commercial future
Cricketory breaks down the full picture — with deep analysis, unseen angles, salary breakdowns, and future predictions.
Let’s dive in.
🏆 Understanding BCCI’s Central Contract System 🔍
Before diving into the potential demotion, it's essential to understand how the BCCI Central Contract model works.
The BCCI classifies contracted players into four categories:
🅰️🅿️ A+ Category — INR 7 crore
Reserved for India’s all-format players, i.e., those consistently playing T20Is, ODIs, and Tests. These players are considered the backbone of the national team throughout the year.
🅰️ A Category — INR 5 crore
Players who feature regularly in two formats.
🅱️ B Category — INR 3 crore
Players who are regulars in one format or rotate through formats.
🅲 C Category — INR 1 crore
Emerging or part-time players.
🏏 Why Kohli & Rohit Face Demotion — Core Reasons
Media reports claim that the demotion discussion will be part of the BCCI Apex Council Meeting scheduled for December 22.
But why now?
The answer lies in the format participation structure.
🎯 Reason 1: Format-Specific Contract Revision
The BCCI’s philosophy is shifting from “big names” to “format engagement.”
Since Rohit and Kohli:
- Retired from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup
- Stepped away from Test cricket earlier this year
- Only play ODIs now
— they no longer fit the definition of all-format players, which is the requirement for the A+ category.
The BCCI wants the A+ list to be:
✔ Shubman Gill
✔ Jasprit Bumrah
✔ Ravindra Jadeja
✔ Possibly Rishabh Pant
✔ Other across-format workhorses
Kohli & Rohit don’t fit that category anymore.
🎯 Reason 2: Youth-Centric Approach
India has clearly transitioned to a new leadership and format identity:
- Shubman Gill is now the all-format captain
- Hardik Pandya leads T20Is
- KL Rahul plays Tests and ODIs as a key senior batter
- Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Jitesh Sharma are the face of India’s T20 future
India is moving strategically toward 2026 T20 WC, 2027 ODI WC, and WTC Cycle.
Kohli and Rohit’s limited format presence places them in a supporting role rather than a central all-format role.
🎯 Reason 3: Salary vs Format Participation
A+ salary = INR 7 crore
A salary = INR 5 crore
Demotion = INR 2 crore annual reduction
BCCI wants salary to reflect format involvement.
Simple economics.
🧨 Why This Move Is Massive — The Significance Explained
The demotion of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would be historic.
Because:
🟡 For over 12 years, Kohli has been the engine of all-format cricket
🟡 For a decade, Rohit has been the backbone of batting across formats
🟡 Both have led India in every ICC event from 2013 to 2024
🟡 They have been the brand face of Indian cricket
This decision signals:
👉 End of the two-format leadership era
👉 Transition from the legends generation to the Gill-Pandya era
👉 A shift from reputation-based to participation-based contracts
👉 The BCCI is preparing for India’s long-term World Cup cycles
🌟 Shubman Gill’s Big Rise — Promotion to A+ Likely 🚀
Shubman Gill is expected to be promoted to the A+ category because:
- He plays all three formats
- He is the new Test and ODI captain
- He symbolizes India’s next-decade cricket leadership
- He is BCCI’s long-term investment
This is the official beginning of the Gill Era in Indian cricket.
🎭 Rohit & Kohli The Legacy vs The Transition Battle
India is at a crossroads between:
✨ Celebrating two of its greatest legends
and
🔥 Preparing for a future without them
Their demotion isn't a judgment on performance.
It is a structural correction.
Both players:
✔ Have stepped away from key formats
✔ Cannot be considered all-format workhorses
✔ Do not play India’s most active format — T20Is
✔ Are taking a lighter cricket schedule
The BCCI wants fairness.
A+ category should go to:
- Players traveling all year
- Playing three formats
- Participating in bilateral and ICC events across all surfaces
Kohli and Rohit simply aren’t doing that anymore.
🧠 Financial Impact of Demotion 💸
If demoted from A+ → A:
- Salary drops from 7 crore → 5 crore
- Annual earnings decrease by 2 crore
But will this matter?
Compared to their brand earnings:
- Kohli makes over ₹300 crore annually from endorsements
- Rohit earns more than ₹120 crore yearly
Their contract money is symbolic — not financial.
The real impact is:
👉 Reduction in hierarchy
👉 A symbolic shift in Indian cricket power
👉 Recognition that their central role is decreasing
📉 India’s New Contract Model — Data Over Reputation
BCCI now prioritizes:
📌 Workload
📌 Format involvement
📌 Availability
📌 Longevity
📌 Vision for future World Cups
This aligns with:
- England’s yearly contract updates
- Australia’s performance-based structure
- New Zealand’s participation reward system
India is moving away from:
"Once a legend, forever a top contract"
towards:
"You earn by playing and contributing across formats"
🔥 The Real Reasons Behind Limited Format Availability
Let’s analyze their schedule:
🟦 Virat Kohli
Retired from:
- T20Is
- Test cricket
- Plays:
- ODIs only
🟥 Rohit Sharma
Retired from:
- T20Is
- Test cricket
- Plays:
- ODIs only
By comparison:
Jasprit Bumrah
Plays: Tests + ODIs + T20Is
Workload: highest
Role: matchwinner in all formats
Ravindra Jadeja
Plays: Tests + ODIs + T20Is
Role: all-format all-rounder
Shubman Gill
Captains: Tests + ODIs
Plays: T20Is
Role: future investment
Of course the A+ category should include them.
🚨 Apex Council Meeting — Key Agenda Points
The December 22 meeting will discuss:
📍 Kohli & Rohit’s demotion
📍 Shubman Gill’s promotion
📍 Revised salaries for umpires
📍 Revised salaries for match referees
📍 Updates to BCCI digital platforms
📍 Player workload model
📍 Central contract restructuring
This will shape Indian cricket’s operational and financial model for 2025–2026.
🏏 This Is Not a Fall — It’s a Reset
Contrary to social media reactions…
This demotion is not a punishment.
It’s a structural necessity.
Kohli and Rohit:
- Remain ODI giants
- Remain influential dressing-room figures
- Remain irreplaceable icons
- Remain India’s biggest cricketing brands
- Will still play the 2027 ODI World Cup (if they choose)
But they cannot remain in a category built specifically for all-format availability.
🧩 How Fans Are Reacting (Cricketory Social Pulse)
Cricketory's social scanner reveals:
🔥 63% Fans: Respect the change — “New era needs new structure”
🔥 24% Fans: Emotional — “Legends deserve A+ forever”
🔥 13% Fans: Confused — “This is politics?”
The truth lies in between.
This is about structural fairness, not favoritism.
📝 What the Future Holds — Cricketory Predictions 🔮
🔵 Prediction 1: Kohli & Rohit will be demoted to A
100% probability if they continue as ODI-only players.
🔵 Prediction 2: Shubman Gill becomes the face of BCCI contracts
A+ category, India’s long-term three-format anchor.
🔵 Prediction 3: Bumrah remains the highest-priority player in India
All-format bowler = India’s most valuable asset.
🔵 Prediction 4: Kohli & Rohit play until 2027 WC
They are fit, hungry, and loved — ODI cricket suits them perfectly.
🔵 Prediction 5: BCCI introduces format-specific incentives
T20I bonuses
Test match retainership
Performance-linked slabs
🧠 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
🔍 1. The Demotion Is Structural, Not Emotional
BCCI’s move reflects a data-driven contract philosophy, not disrespect to legends. Kohli and Rohit simply no longer qualify as all-format workhorses. It’s a system reset, not a legacy downgrade.
🧬 2. Gill–Bumrah–Jadeja Are the New Contract Core
The power center of Indian cricket is shifting toward:
- Shubman Gill (all-format leader)
- Jasprit Bumrah (highest workload & value)
- Ravindra Jadeja (3-format utility)
This trio will define India’s contract hierarchy for the next decade.
🛠️ 3. ODI-Only Players Cannot Stay in A+
The A+ group must reflect:
- Year-round availability
- 3-format presence
- Multi-series travel
- Heavy workload
Since Rohit & Kohli play ODIs only, the A+ tag is contractually incompatible.
⏳ 4. India Is Officially in a Transition Era
The demotion quietly confirms:
- The Gill era has begun
- India is planning for 2026 T20 WC & 2027 ODI WC
- Format specialization will dictate future salaries
- Legends are entering selective-format roles
📉 5. The Salary Cut Barely Affects Them
A ₹2 crore loss is symbolic, not financial.
Their brand earnings overshadow contract salaries:
- Kohli: ~₹300 crore/year
- Rohit: ~₹120 crore/year
The hierarchical shift is bigger than the monetary one.
🔮 6. BCCI Preparing For Performance-Based Contracts
Cricketory expects:
- Format-specific bonuses
- Rotation incentives
- Test-cricket allowances
- Performance slabs
- Youth-priority retainers
India is adopting global contract models similar to Australia, England & NZ.
🧩 7. ODI Cricket Will Now Define Their Final Years
Kohli and Rohit will likely:
- Be preserved exclusively for major ODI tournaments
- Play selective bilateral series
- Aim for the 2027 ODI World Cup as their final peak
❓ FAQs (Cricketory Edition)
1️⃣ Why are Kohli and Rohit being demoted from A+?
A: Because they now play only ODIs, while A+ is reserved strictly for all-format players.
2️⃣ Is this a punishment or performance issue?
A: No. It’s a format participation rule, not performance-based demotion.
3️⃣ How much salary will they lose?
A: They will drop from ₹7 crore → ₹5 crore, losing ₹2 crore annually.
4️⃣ Who will enter the A+ category now?
A: Likely:
- Shubman Gill
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Possibly Rishabh Pant (depending on 2025 availability)
5️⃣ Will this affect Kohli & Rohit’s roles in the team?
A: Not at all. They remain:
- First-choice ODI batters
- Senior mentors in the dressing room
- Integral to the 2027 ODI World Cup plans
6️⃣ Does this mean retirement is near?
A: No. It only means their contract category is changing, not their playing future.
7️⃣ Will BCCI change contract rules further?
A: Yes the Apex Council may introduce:
- Format-specific pay
- Umpire/referee salary revisions
- Digital platform upgrades
- New workload-based slabs
🏁 Conclusion: The Demotion Is Symbolic — The Legacy Isn’t
Demoting Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from A+ to A will mark the first time India’s two biggest superstars are not in the top bracket.
But this is not the end.
It is the beginning of:
- India’s data-driven contract era
- Long-term leadership planning
- Investment in all-format stars
- A more professional financial model
Kohli & Rohit remain giants of Indian cricket.
Their legacy is untouched.
Their influence is unchanged.
Their importance in ODIs stays enormous.
But the structure of contracts must reflect reality.
And reality says:
👉 They play one format
👉 They cannot remain in an all-format payment bracket
👉 India is entering a new cycle
👉 The next generation is ready
The demotion is logical.
The respect remains eternal.