On April 21, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the central contracts. There weren’t any shocks. Players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan returned. Those retired like Ravichandran Ashwin were to be seen, and some performers like Rishabh Pant were promoted.
BCCI’s contract rules
However, one thing stood out. Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma remained in the Grade A+ category. This didn’t make sense. According to BCCI’s own rules, the highest category with a Rs 7 crore salary is reserved for players who are automatic selections in all three formats for the India cricket team.
But all three greats don’t play all formats. After winning the T20 World Cup 2024, the trio collectively announced their retirement from T20Is. Therefore, they are 2 format players. They shouldn’t have been eligible for Grade A+ contracts. So, why did the BCCI include them?
Why Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli & Ravindra Jadeja were given A+ grade contracts
According to PTI, the board announced the contracts are being awarded for the period of October 2024 to September 2025, and therefore the assessment of performance is from October 2023 to September 2024. During this time frame, Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja played cricket for India in all 3 formats.
They didn’t retire from T20Is until June 2024. So technically, they were eligible for getting the BCCI A+ contract. And that’s why they are included. Going by this logic, when the next annual contracts are announced, they won’t be in the highest category.
“The period of the 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 the A+ category,” a BCCI source stated.
