2025-26 BCCI Central Contracts: Major Wins for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Shreyas

Overview of BCCI Central Contracts for 2025-26

Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to maintain their prestigious A+ grade in the BCCI central contracts for the year 2025-26. Despite stepping down from the T20I format, their contract values are pegged at a lucrative Rs 7 crore each. This adjustment follows their phenomenal success, capped by a T20 World Cup victory in Barbados which ended India’s ICC trophy drought.

Shreyas Iyer is poised for a notable return to the central contracts list after a brief hiatus, thanks to his red-hot form in domestic circuits.

Veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Continued Dominance

Rohit Sharma, once a vibrant force in white-ball cricket, has experienced a quieter phase post-retirement from the T20I format. Despite memorable final performances, his recent statistics in longer formats hint at dwindling prowess, with only 91 runs scored across three Test matches against New Zealand at an average of 15.17.

Similarly, Virat Kohli has faced critiques post his participation in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Throughout the series against Australia, he scored 190 runs over ten innings, culminating in a total of 655 international runs at an average of 21.83 for the year, highlighted by a single century and two fifties.

Shreyas Iyer’s Stellar Domestic Performances

On the flip side, Shreyas Iyer’s return to form is nothing short of spectacular. His last Ranji Trophy season concluded with 480 runs from five matches, boasting an average of 68.57 and a strike rate of 90.22. Recent performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophies have further cemented his position, amassing significant runs which played a key role in his comeback.

Moreover, his contributions were instrumental in India’s Champions Trophy victory in February, leading as the top scorer with 243 runs from five matches.

Conclusion: A Period of Transition and Triumph

The shifts in BCCI’s central contracts reflect a period of transition for Indian cricket, with veterans adapting to new roles while upcoming stars like Shreyas Iyer make their mark. The continued investment in seasoned players like Kohli and Sharma, alongside nurturing new talents, portrays BCCI’s balanced approach towards team building and sustaining excellence in international cricket.