Retired from T20Is? Yes. Out of India’s top central contract bracket? Not even close.
In a move that raised more eyebrows than a no-ball on the last ball, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja were awarded the coveted A+ grade in BCCI’s 2024–25 central contract list—even after publicly stepping away from T20 Internationals. Confusing? Maybe. But there’s a perfectly timed twist.
Turns out, BCCI’s contracts don’t predict the future—they reward the past. The A+ category, which comes with a ₹7 crore annual retainership, is given to players who are all-format regulars during the assessment period—from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. And guess what? That window includes India’s glorious run to the T20 World Cup final in June 2024, where all three icons were key players.
So yes, when that assessment window was live, Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja were still very much India’s three-format titans.
What makes this even spicier? The list was reportedly finalized weeks ago, but BCCI waited. Then—boom!—Kohli smashed an unbeaten 73, and Rohit lit up the Wankhede with a 76* against CSK. The next day, the contract list dropped. Coincidence? Or masterfully timed PR?
This isn’t about favoritism—it’s about legacy, contribution, and technicality. These players didn’t get A+ for what they’re about to do. They earned it for what they’ve already done—leading from the front in India’s biggest moments.
The BCCI’s grading system has four tiers—A+ (₹7 Cr), A (₹5 Cr), B (₹3 Cr), and C (₹1 Cr)—and players are slotted based on formats played, consistency, and impact. Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja ticked all the boxes when it mattered.
So yes, they may have walked away from T20s—but India’s Big 3 aren’t walking out of greatness anytime soon.
