In light of recent developments surrounding Virat Kohli and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has advised the BCCI to allow Virat Kohli to prepare for matches in his own way. This statement comes amidst proposed changes to the BCCI's central contracts, which could see Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, "demoted" from the top tier.

The BCCI is reportedly considering a significant overhaul of its Annual Central Contracts system, potentially reshaping the hierarchy of Indian cricket's elite players. A key proposal is to eliminate the Grade A+ category, which currently carries an annual retainer of ₹7 crore. If this proposal is approved, the contracts would be restructured into three categories: A, B, and C.

This potential restructuring could directly impact senior players like Kohli and Sharma, who are now primarily active in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Under the proposed framework, they might be placed in Grade B, which has an annual retainer of ₹3 crore. The final decision rests with the BCCI's apex council, which will deliberate on the proposal in its upcoming meeting. This meeting will also address potential revisions to the monetary slabs alongside the structural changes.

A BCCI official, speaking anonymously, stated that the intent is to align contracts with workload, formats played, and future planning, rather than stature or legacy. This rationale suggests a shift towards prioritizing current form andformat involvement in determining central contracts.

Mohammad Kaif's advice to the BCCI emphasizes allowing Kohli to prepare in his own way, acknowledging his consistent performance despite not residing in India full-time. Kaif highlighted Kohli's ability to return to India and consistently score runs, before returning to London. He believes that Kohli's consistency, despite limited game time, sets him apart.

Kohli, known as the 'chase-master,' has had a remarkable career, marked by his fiery attitude and maturity. He redefined fitness, professionalism, and competitive intensity, inspiring a generation. Kohli has an illustrious career, having scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 with 29 Test centuries before retiring from Test cricket in May 2025. His influence on Indian and global cricket is expected to last for decades.

In the previous central contracts list, Kohli and Sharma were in Grade A+ along with Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. With the proposed changes, Bumrah, who remains an all-format player, is likely to be placed in the A category.

These potential changes to the BCCI's central contracts reflect an evolving approach to player compensation, prioritizing current contributions and workload. As the apex council prepares to meet, the future structure of Indian cricket's central contracts remains uncertain, but it is clear that adjustments are on the horizon.