Why are Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma still in BCCI contracts' A+ category despite retirements?

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: May 14, 2025, 22:52 IST

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BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will remain in the Grade A+ category despite retiring from T20Is and Tests. This decision acknowledges their continued contribution to the Indian cricket team. Kohli retired from Tests after 123 matches, amassing 9,230 runs, while Rohit concluded his Test career with 4,301 runs in 67 matches.

Why are Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma still in BCCI contracts' A+ category despite retirements?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed on Wednesday that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will retain their Grade A+ contracts despite retiring from T20Is and Test cricket. Both players were included in the BCCI's annual player retainership 2024-25 alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja in the highest grade category."Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's grade A+ contract will continue despite their retirement from the T20Is and Tests. They are still part of the Indian cricket team, and they will get all the facilities of Grade A+," Devajit Saikia told ANI.

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Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket before the upcoming five-match England tour, which marks the beginning of India's ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign. In his 123-match Test career spanning 14 years, Kohli scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with a highest score of 254 not out.

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Who had a more impressive Test career?

Rohit SharmaVirat Kohli

Quiz: Who's that IPL player?Kohli stands as India's fourth-highest run-getter in Test cricket, following Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,265 runs), and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs).

Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket after 14 years

Rohit Sharma also announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7, ahead of the England tour. His Test career spanned 67 matches over 11 years, during which he accumulated 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score of 212 came against South Africa in 2019.Both players had earlier announced their retirement from T20 internationals after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Virat Kohli dominated the T20 World Cup format, scoring 1,292 runs in 35 matches at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, including 15 half-centuries.

Explained: Why Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket

In his overall T20I career, Kohli amassed 4,188 runs in 125 matches at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04, including one century and 38 fifties. He finished as the second-highest run-getter in T20I cricket.Rohit Sharma concluded his T20I career with 4,231 runs in 151 matches at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate over 140. His impressive record includes five centuries and 32 fifties, with a highest score of 121 not out, making him the leading run-scorer in the format.

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