Why BCCI Gave A+ Central Contract To Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli And Ravindra Jadeja Despite Their T20I Retirement?

In a move that underscores their towering legacy in Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja have all retained their prestigious A+ category contracts in the BCCI’s central contract list for the 2024–25 season.

This development comes despite the trio’s emotional farewell from T20 internationals after India’s historic triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024, sparking intense discussions among fans and pundits alike about the parameters for an A+ contract. However, a detailed clarification from the BCCI has now brought both technical and sentimental clarity to the decision.

Let’s dive into the full story behind this hot topic—and what it means for Indian cricket going forward.

BCCI’s Central Contract System: Understanding the Structure

First, a quick refresher: the BCCI’s central contract system is divided into four categories:

A+ (₹7 crore per annum) – For players who are consistent selections across all three formats.
A (₹5 crore per annum) – For players who are top performers in at least two formats.
B (₹3 crore per annum) – For those who are important in one or two formats.
C (₹1 crore per annum) – For promising players or format specialists.

The A+ category is considered the elite club, reserved for India’s most indispensable players across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

When the 2024–25 contracts were announced, the continuation of Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja in the A+ bracket—alongside Jasprit Bumrah—caught many by surprise, especially since the trio had formally retired from T20Is.

The Confusion: Should Retired T20I Players Get A+ Contracts?

Fans quickly took to social media to raise a fundamental question:
“If Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja have retired from one format, how can they still qualify for an A+ contract, which demands all-format availability?”

From a purely logical standpoint, the concern seemed valid. If the BCCI’s criteria are based on “automatic selection in all three formats,” how could players who exited T20Is still fit that description?

Calls for their demotion to Grade A (the next tier) gained momentum online, leading to mounting curiosity—and, in some corners, even resentment.

Clearly, the BCCI needed to address the growing speculation.

BCCI Clarifies: It’s About the Evaluation Window, Not the Announcement Date

Amid rising public debates, a senior BCCI official offered an important clarification.

“The period of fresh central contract is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. But the assessment year is October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja played the T20 World Cup final in June 2024 and hence at that time, they were all-format regulars. Going by that technicality, they are supposed to be in A+ category,” the official told NDTV Sports.

In simple terms:

Although the new contract cycle starts from October 2024, the performance evaluation is based on the previous year—from October 2023 to September 2024.
During that window, all three players were active and critical across all three formats.
Their T20I retirements came after the evaluation window had ended.

Thus, at the time of review, Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja perfectly fit the A+ criteria. Their contracts were awarded fairly and technically, without bending any rules.

Their Contributions During the Evaluation Period: Justifying the A+ Status

Looking at their performances between October 2023 and September 2024, it’s clear why they merited A+ recognition.

Rohit Sharma: The Captain Marvel

Led India across formats with tactical brilliance.
Instrumental in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, playing decisive innings at the top.
Delivered strong Test match performances, including series wins against Australia and England.
Maintained a consistent ODI record, including crucial runs in big tournaments.

Virat Kohli: The Run Machine

Dominated white-ball cricket, particularly in ODIs where he churned out centuries under pressure.
Played match-defining innings during the T20 World Cup.
Continued to be India’s most bankable batter in Tests, anchoring innings when conditions turned tough.

Ravindra Jadeja: The Ultimate All-Rounder

Provided perfect balance to the Indian side across formats.
Excelled with both ball and bat in Tests and ODIs.
Delivered crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs during T20Is, often swinging games in India’s favor.

In short, all three weren’t just active—they were central pillars to India’s global cricketing success during the evaluation window.

The Sentimental Angle: A Fitting Tribute to Legends

Beyond technicalities, the BCCI’s decision carries an unmistakable sentimental significance.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s leadership and batting brilliance, combined with Jadeja’s all-round mastery, shaped one of Indian cricket’s most dominant eras in recent memory.

Winning the T20 World Cup 2024 after an 11-year wait was a crowning achievement for Rohit and Kohli.
Jadeja’s decisive final-over brilliance in the semifinal underlined his match-winning prowess.

Awarding them continued A+ contracts can be seen as a final act of respect, acknowledging their immense contributions before the next generation fully takes the baton.

What Happens After 2025? The Future of Their Central Contracts

While the trio deservedly retain A+ status for 2024–25, the 2025–26 cycle may tell a different story.

Since Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja are now retired from T20Is, their next evaluations will be based solely on performances in Tests and ODIs.

If they continue to perform consistently across these two formats:

They could likely move to Grade A (₹5 crore) under the BCCI’s format-specific criteria.
This would not be seen as a demotion, but rather a natural evolution based on format specialization.

Moreover, age and workload management could also influence their future roles:

Rohit (turning 38), Kohli (turning 37), and Jadeja (turning 36) may gradually transition into mentor roles while still playing selective series.

Champions Trophy 2025 Triumph: Reinforcing Their Value

If anyone doubted whether retirement from T20Is would diminish their relevance, the Champions Trophy 2025 campaign silenced critics.

Rohit Sharma led India to a stunning title victory, using his unmatched tactical nous.
Kohli anchored the batting order, including a sensational hundred in the semifinal.
Jadeja spun a web around opponents with miserly spells and priceless lower-order runs.

Their performance in Pakistan, amid testing conditions and pressure-cooker environments, proved that India’s senior trio still has plenty to offer on the biggest stages.

IPL 2025: The Legends Still Shine Bright

Even in the ongoing IPL 2025, the veterans continue to showcase their class:

Rohit Sharma has reinvented his game at the top, providing rapid starts for Mumbai Indians.
Kohli, playing with fresh freedom, remains a chase master and crowd-puller for RCB.
Jadeja has been Chennai Super Kings’ ‘X-factor,’ winning games with both bat and ball.

Their IPL performances have reaffirmed their fitness, form, and hunger, reminding everyone that while eras may evolve, true greatness is timeless.

More Than Just Contracts

The BCCI’s decision to retain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja in the A+ bracket isn’t just about statistics or technical clauses.

It’s about:

Honoring careers that have redefined Indian cricket.
Recognizing service that goes beyond numbers.
Sending a message that Indian cricket respects its heroes while also planning for the future.

As India prepares for the next era under new stars like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant, the enduring presence of legends like Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja will continue to inspire generations—on and off the field.

Their names may eventually move down the contract list—but never from the hearts of Indian cricket fans.

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