Kohli, Rohit likely to be demoted in BCCI central contracts list: Indian media

KARACHI: India's experienced batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are likely to be demoted in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) central contracts 2025-26, Indian media reported on Thursday.

According to a report, the discussion regarding Kohli and Rohit's central contracts is expected at the BCCI's apex council, scheduled to be held virtually on December 22.

The report further added that the senior duo's demotion is likely due to their limited participation as they only represent India men's cricket team in the ODI format after calling time on their respective T20I careers after the World Cup in 2024, while stepping away from the Tests earlier this year.

Notably, the BCCI offers central contracts to its elite cricketers in four categories, A-plus, A, B and C. The top category is allocated for India's best all-format players, and hence their current longer-format captain, Shubman Gill, is likely to be promoted into it.

Meanwhile, Rohit and Kohli, who remained in the A-plus category in the 2024-25 central contracts, alongside experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, despite retiring from Tests and ODIs, are finally set for a demotion.

Interestingly, the demotion will see a deduction of INR 2 crore each in the duo's annual salaries as the payouts currently stand at INR 7 crore (A+), INR 5 crore (A), INR 3 crore (B), and INR 1 crore (C).

The report further claimed that the cricket board's upcoming meeting will also address several additional points, including a proposed revision in the remuneration structure for umpires and match referees, besides updates related to the BCCI's digital platforms.