The BCCI is set to review central contracts for the upcoming cycle during the Apex Council meeting scheduled for December 22, where the future of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be a major point of discussion. The meeting, to be attended virtually by top board officials, will also look into domestic women’s cricket contracts.
According to a PTI report, both Kohli and Rohit—who have retired from T20Is and Test cricket and now feature only in ODIs—may no longer retain their A+ category status. Despite stepping back from the shortest format following India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, they were retained in the top bracket for the 2024–25 contract cycle, which runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja were also part of the elite A+ group.
The board is expected to decide whether to continue their A+ status or shift them to Grade A, which would lead to a ₹2 crore reduction in annual retainership. Under the current structure, players in Grade A+ earn ₹7 crore, Grade A ₹5 crore, Grade B ₹3 crore, and Grade C ₹1 crore.
Meanwhile, rising star Shubman Gill is likely to be promoted to the A+ category. Gill, previously in Grade A, is now leading India in Tests and ODIs and serves as vice-captain in T20Is, strengthening his case for elevation alongside Bumrah and Jadeja.
The Apex Council will also review revised pay slabs for umpires and match referees, along with plans to further digitalise BCCI platforms.
Recently, both Kohli and Rohit featured in the ODI series against South Africa. Kohli scored over 300 runs and claimed the Player of the Series award, while Rohit contributed with two half-centuries in India’s 2–1 victory.