Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier this week, capping a stellar career that saw him smash 30 hundreds and score over 9000 runs. Indian cricket is now in a state of transition as Kohli's announcement came days after Rohit Sharma also announced his retirement from the longest format and the Indian team saw two of its biggest generational stars bid Tests goodbye in a matter of weeks.

Interestingly, both Kohli and Rohit were named in the A+ grade of the BCCI's annual central contracts last month; with their retirements, they will only be available for one format, the ODIs. Nevertheless, BCCI secretary Saikia confirmed the development on Wednesday, dispelling any rumours about their contract status following their retirements.

“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 (+),” Saikia told ANI.

Kohli, Rohit, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja were all in the Grade A bracket on the BCCI's annual player retainership list for the 2024–25 cycle, which was made public earlier in April. A month before India would visit England, which kicks off the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, Kohli announced his decision to retire from Test cricket.

After 123 Test matches, the 36-year-old retired with 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 hundreds and a career-high 254*. After Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, and Sachin Tendulkar, he was India's fourth-highest run scorer in the format.

Days before, Indian Test skipper Rohit Sharma had announced his retirement from the format after a string of subpar games. After a career that included 67 matches, 4,301 runs, and 12 hundreds, the Indian captain said goodbye to Test cricket.

He finished as India's 16th-highest run-scorer in the format with an average of 40.57 and a best score of 212 against South Africa in 2019, capping an unforgettable red-ball tour.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from IPL 2025,IPL Orange Cap, IPL Purple Cap, Most Sixes in IPL, Cricket, Sports and around the world.