BCCI retains Rohit, Virat in grade A+ category in the annual central contracts

The out-of-favour duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan also returned to the fold in the lower brackets in a 34-strong list of centrally-contracted players

New Delhi: The BCCI on Monday retained megastars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the top bracket of its annual players’ contract list, less than 24 hours after they played sublime knocks to win IPL games for their respective franchises.

The out-of-favour duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan also returned to the fold in the lower brackets in a 34-strong list of centrally-contracted players, which also includes pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja in the highest-paid A category.

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Iyer and keeper-batter Ishan Kishan were dropped from the list last year for allegedly ignoring domestic cricket.

Both Rohit and Kohli figure in A category, but it remains to be seen if the Mumbai batter will be asked to lead the team in England in the upcoming five-Test series when his red ball form has been patchy.

The BCCI mandarins are, however, tight-lipped on the issue since head coach Gautam Gambhir’s view will also matter in taking a final decision.

The BCCI offers contracts in four categories: A , A, B and C, with annual retainership valuations of Rs 7 crore, Rs 5 crore, Rs 3 crore and Rs 1 crore, respectively. It is learnt that national selectors, after discussion with head coach Gambhir and secretary Devajit Saikia, had prepared the contract list at least two weeks back but held back the announcement.

Interestingly, it was announced hours after both veterans hit sparkling knocks — especially skipper Rohit, who was going through a lean patch. While Kohli hit an unbeaten 73-run knock against the Punjab Kings. Rohit came up with an unbeaten 76-run knock against Super Kings.

Iyer was included in the B category while wicketkeeper-batter Ishan made a comeback in category C.

Rishabh Pant, who was demoted to category B during the 2023-24 season as he didn’t play due to his recovery from a life-threatening accident, is back in A category in place of the retired Ravichandran Ashwin.

Many would question how Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja were retained in the A grade when the troika has already announced retirement from the shortest format.