Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may still be ruling the ODI charts, but that won’t stop the BCCI from slashing ₹2 crore each from their salaries. And the obvious question is - why are India’s two biggest icons taking a pay cut at a time when their ODI form is at its peak? The answer lies in the BCCI’s soon-to-be-announced central contracts.
BCCI Central Contracts Explained
Before the storm hits, let’s break down how these contracts actually work. The BCCI categorises its centrally contracted players into four slabs - A+, A, B and C, each offering a fixed annual salary. This amount is guaranteed to the player for the entire year, irrespective of how many matches they actually play, and is separate from their match-fee earnings.
The A+ category is the elite club, reserved strictly for India’s top all-format performers. These players earn a hefty ₹7 crore every year.
And now, Shubman Gill is reportedly set to enter this exclusive bracket. With his presence across all 3 formats, Gill’s upward trajectory is taking him straight into the A+ room.
Until now, Kohli and Rohit stood tall in that top grade. But with both superstars stepping away from Tests and T20Is, the BCCI is expected to drop them to the A category - a tier that comes with a ₹5 crore annual contract. Simple maths: a direct loss of ₹2 crore each.
Notably, Ravindra Jadeja, who also retired from T20Is, is likely to retain his spot in the A+ category because he is still an active Test cricketer. And despite him not playing all 3 formats, the longest format takes precedence.
But let’s be honest, does a ₹2 crore deduction even dent Virat and Rohit? A single Instagram post, a brand endorsement, or even a casual tweet from either of them earns more than this entire “pay cut.” The numbers may look big on paper, but for two of the richest and most marketable athletes India has ever produced, it’s barely pocket change.
Still, the message is clear: in Indian cricket, your grade is tied to your formats. And no matter how legendary you are, the contract sheet doesn’t do nostalgia. It only measures availability.
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