The Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announcing their Test retirements within a week have caused a stir among former and current cricketers. However, the question also is whether the veteran pair retain their A+ contracts for the upcoming cricketing season and BCCI Secretary Devajit Sakaia has opened up on the same.
Rohit announced his Test retirement last week, with reports claiming that he is set to be sacked as the captain of the format ahead of the England tour. Kohli followed him by announcing his Test retirement on May 12, Monday, claiming it was not an easy decision. The duo end their careers with more than 13000 runs and 52 Test wins as captain between them.
Traditionally, the BCCI gives A+ contracts to all-format players, which is the highest category. Currently, Kohli, Rohit, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are part of the A+ category. Saikia asserted that Kohli and Rohit will remain in the same category. He told India Today:
"Both players (Virat and Rohit) are playing for India, so why the question of not having them in A+ category? Both will continue in the same grade and will get all the facilities of that grade."
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli likely to extend their careers until 2027 World Cup
Meanwhile, the prolific run-scoring pair had retired from T20Is in 2024 and will ow continue to play only in ODIs. According to several experts, the duo are targeting to play the 2027 World Cup.
Rohit and Kohli were part of the 2023 World Cup squad which India failed to win as they surrendered to Australia in the final at the jampacked Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Hence, they wish to get the job done in 2027.
