Why BCCI Salary Cuts May Impact Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma – Full Contract Breakdown

 The discussion around BCCI Salary Cuts has intensified as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may face demotion from the A+ to A category due to reduced participation in certain formats. The possible downgrade could result in a ₹2 crore annual reduction for each. This article explains why the BCCI is considering these changes, how central contracts work, and what it means for India’s two biggest stars.

BCCI Salary Cuts – Why Kohli & Rohit May Be Demoted

The debate surrounding BCCI Salary Cuts has gained major attention as reports suggest that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may no longer remain in the A+ grade of BCCI’s central contracts. Since both legends are no longer active across all three formats—particularly Tests and T20Is—the board is reassessing their eligibility for the premium category.

The BCCI contract system aims to reward consistency, performance, leadership, and most importantly, multi-format participation. Players are placed in four categories—A+, A, B, and C—with each grade offering fixed annual retainers. The A+ bracket is exclusively reserved for players who contribute in all formats throughout the year.

With both Kohli and Rohit redirecting their focus primarily to ODIs, the BCCI believes a revision may be necessary for the next cycle. This is where the BCCI Salary Cuts discussion becomes relevant.

How the Contract System Works

BCCI’s grading structure is based on several key factors:

1. Format Participation
Players who consistently represent India in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is get higher priority for A+ retainers.

2. Performance & Consistency
Strong performances across the last contract cycle heavily influence promotions or demotions.

3. Minimum Match Criteria
A player must achieve a certain minimum number of matches in any format to retain a contract.

4. Domestic Cricket Commitment
Players must participate in domestic tournaments like Ranji Trophy when not on national duty. Non-compliance has previously resulted in players being removed from the contract list.

Salary Impact on Kohli & Rohit

If the demotion is confirmed, Kohli and Rohit would move from A+ (₹7 crore) to A (₹5 crore), leading to BCCI Salary Cuts of ₹2 crore annually. Despite this, both remain among India’s top earners due to match fees and endorsements.

Salary Comparison Table

Player	Current Category	Current Salary	Expected Category	Expected Salary
Virat Kohli	A+	₹7 Crore	A	₹5 Crore
Rohit Sharma	A+	₹7 Crore	A	₹5 Crore

What This Means for Indian Cricket

Even with possible BCCI Salary Cuts, Kohli and Rohit will continue to be key figures in India’s ODI setup. Their experience, leadership, and fitness still make them valuable assets. Meanwhile, players like Shubman Gill—who are active in all formats—are likely to be elevated to the A+ category.

The board’s goal remains clear: reward all-format players and encourage greater participation in Test cricket.