Rohit Sharma

Watch: Rohit Sharma and wife arrive in Delhi for Shikhar Dhawan’s wedding ahead of IND vs SA super 8 clash

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:40:54 GMT

Rohit Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh reached Delhi on February 21, 2026, to attend the wedding of former opener Shikhar Dhawan. The couple was seen at the airport as they headed to join the grand celebrations. Their arrival created excitement among fans. It also marked a special reunion of India’s famous opening pair off the field.

Shikhar Dhawan is starting a new journey in his personal life as he marries Sophie Shine. She is an Irish product consultant and influencer and also leads the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation. The wedding is taking place in Delhi-NCR after colorful pre-wedding functions. The Sangeet and Mehendi ceremonies were held on February 19 and 20.

The celebrations have attracted many well-known names from cricket and Bollywood. Rohit and Dhawan, known as “Hitman” and “Gabbar,” share a strong bond. They were the scalp of one of the best opening pairs in India in ODIs and has over 5,000 runs as a partnership. Rohit’s attendance at the wedding highlighted how close the two are beyond cricket.

India vs South Africa: Super 8 Showdown Awaits

While the wedding festivities continue in Delhi, attention now shifts to Ahmedabad. India will face South Africa in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on February 22. Both teams are unbeaten so far in the tournament.

Watch the video here

Rohit Sharma and Ritika bhabhi reached Delhi to attend the wedding of Shikhar Dhawan.❤️ pic.twitter.com/CpDEFgYKxd
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 21, 2026

The high-pressure clash will begin at 7:00 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 6:30 PM. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the defending champions against Aiden Markram and Co. It will also be a repeat meeting in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, which also adds more excitement for the contest.

Watch: “…should know Marathi” Legendary Indian captain honours Marathi culture in casual meet with TV stars ahead of IPL 2026

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 01:37:13 GMT

Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma met actors from the Marathi TV show Maharashtracha Chi Hasya Jatra in Mumbai. People are talking again about whether everyone in Mumbai should speak Marathi, and Rohit’s visit added to the discussion.

The T20 World Cup-winning captain was at a restaurant with friends when he went to greet the actors. A video shows him talking to Namrata Sambherao, Prasad Khandekar, and Onkar Raut. He spoke in Marathi, and people liked how well he spoke the language.

Instead of keeping the meeting formal, Rohit chose to speak in Marathi, creating a sense of connection and comfort. During the conversation, he said, “If you live in Mumbai, you should know Marathi.” His words showed pride in his roots and respect for the local culture.

Watch the video here:

Rohit Sharma was having lunch with his friends today when he met some team members from the Marathi comedy show Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra who were sitting next to him. He spoke to them in Marathi, and Rohit said "If you live in Mumbai, you should know Marathi."❤️

Marathi Manus❤️ pic.twitter.com/OSX9eYWdBX
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 17, 2026

Rohit Sharma Celebrates Mumbai and Marathi Culture

Mumbai has always been important in Rohit Sharma’s life and career. He grew up in the city and built his cricket journey there. He has a strong connection with Maharashtra’s traditions and language. His comment about knowing Marathi if you live in Mumbai was seen as a friendly reminder to respect local culture.

Also read -Watch: Rohit Sharma becomes DJ in recent commercial advertisement during T20 World Cup 2026

Meeting with Marathi TV Stars

Rohit met the actors of Maharashtracha Chi Hasya Jatra in a relaxed way. The actors enjoyed the conversation, which was brief but meaningful. Fans liked that even as one of India’s top cricket stars, Rohit proudly celebrates his roots and identity.

Rohit is currently the brand ambassador of the ICC T20 World Cup. He was in Colombo for the India vs Pakistan match but has now returned to India. He may be present at the T20 World Cup final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Though he has retired from T20Is and Test cricket, he still plays ODIs and will return to action with Mumbai Indians in the upcoming Indian Premier League, starting in March.

Watch: Rohit Sharma becomes DJ in recent commercial advertisement during T20 World Cup 2026

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 01:04:52 GMT

India’s cricket captain Rohit Sharma has once again grabbed fans’ attention on social media after sharing a brand video Instagram reel that quickly went viral. In the video, Rohit is seen taking on the role of a DJ, playing songs at a family function and entertaining the crowd with his energy and charm.

Not only Rohit Sharma, but Seagram’s Royal Stag has also added four new public figures as brand ambassadors: actor Sidharth Malhotra, rapper Badshah, actor Naga Chaitanya, and gamer Payal Dhare. They join the existing lineup of cricketers Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav.

This move expands the brand’s presence across different cultural fields, including cricket, cinema, music, and gaming, allowing Royal Stag to connect with a wider and younger audience. The campaign highlights energy, entertainment, and talent from multiple spheres, making it a perfect blend of sports and lifestyle.

Watch the special video here:

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Rohit Sharma (@rohitsharma45)

Also read -Watch: Legendary England captains praise Vaibhav Suryavanshi on ‘Stick to Cricket’ Podcast amid T20 WC 2026

Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah Shine in Royal Stag Ad

In the brand video, Rohit Sharma is seen wearing a blue graphical T-shirt while playing the role of a DJ. The former captain is also seen performing unique dance steps while entertaining the crowd with music. His fellow teammate and veteran Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah appears in the ad as a singer, with his hands visible on a guitar.

Together, Rohit and Bumrah represent India’s celebrated passions of cricket, cinema, music, and gaming, reflecting the bold spirit, fearless choices, and unapologetic ambition that define Royal Stag’s Live It Large philosophy. The ad perfectly blends energy, talent, and entertainment, showing the cricketers in a fresh and lively avatar.

Heartwarming Pre-Match Moment with Wasim Akram

In a rare and touching moment at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo, Rohit Sharma shared a warm hug and handshake with Pakistani cricket great Wasim Akram before the India vs Pakistan match. The clip, widely circulated on social media, quickly became one of the most talked-about visuals of the high-voltage encounter.

Rohit, in Colombo as an official ambassador of the T20 World Cup, mingled with members of the Indian camp and support staff well before the game started. Amid the intense build-up and ongoing tensions between the two teams, his interaction with Akram offered a contrast of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Watch: Rohit Sharma hugs former KKR coach during IND vs PAK T20 WC match in Colombo

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:48:41 GMT

Former India captain Rohit Sharma was a special guest at the Group A match of the T20 World Cup 2026 between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. Rohit is the official brand ambassador of the ICC for the T20 World Cup. He was also present at India’s opening match against the USA at his home ground, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, earlier this month.

Rohit led India to the T20 World Cup title in 2024. He flew to Colombo for the important Group A match. There was talk about Pakistan possibly boycotting the game. After the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. They continued the recent tradition of not shaking hands.

However, Indian fans were surprised to see Rohit Sharma hugging former Pakistan captain and KKR coach Wasim Akram before the match. Rohit and Akram were both on the field as special guests of the ICC. The hug between the Indian and Pakistani cricket stars quickly went viral on social media.

Watch the video here:

Legends Hugs, Kids don’t Shake Hands.. #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/FmfZlF12yA
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) February 15, 2026

India Continues No-Handshake Tradition, Beats Pakistan by 61 Runs

Team India has been following this rule since the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. This came after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and India’s response called ‘Operation Sindoor’. Suryakumar Yadav continued the same tradition in Colombo and did not shake hands after the toss.

Amid the tense atmosphere of the match, Rohit Sharma shared a warm moment with former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram. The two legends smiled and hugged near the trophy. It was a calm and friendly moment before the big game. Rohit also spent time with the Indian players before the match. He greeted and hugged several players. He was present as the brand ambassador for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Even though the match was intense, Rohit’s friendly moment with Akram gave fans a rare positive scene in this strong rivalry.

India Dominates Pakistan in One-Sided Clash

Once the match started, India performed strongly with both bat and ball. The team led by Suryakumar Yadav dominated Pakistan and won by 61 runs in Colombo on Sunday.

India now leads 8-1 in head-to-head matches. With this big win, India moved into the Super 8 stage. It was also Pakistan’s biggest defeat in T20I matches against India.

Ishan Kishan played a powerful knock of 77 runs off 40 balls. India scored 175 runs. Pakistan could not build momentum in their chase of 176. The Indian bowlers controlled the game from the start.

Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took two wickets each. Pakistan were all out for 114 runs. India won the match in a one-sided contest.

Watch: Rohit Sharma and his wife spotted at Mumbai airport ahead of IND vs PAK clash in T20 World Cup 2026

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:07:10 GMT

Former India captain Rohit Sharma is not playing in the T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan. He retired from T20 internationals after the 2024 World Cup. Now, he is the brand ambassador of the T20 World Cup 2026, not a player.

In a video that went viral on social media, Rohit Sharma was seen at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai with his wife, Ritika Sajdeh. This led to talks that he might attend the big match in Colombo.

As excitement grows for the India vs Pakistan match, people are talking about whether Rohit will be present at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The discussion increased after he was seen at the Mumbai airport.

Another video showed him leaving the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad with his wife under security. Many believe that he went to Gujarat for brand work and not to attend the match in Colombo.

Watch the video here:

Rohit Sharma in Ahmedabad with Ritika bhabhi for some brand work.❤️

He is not coming for indvspak pic.twitter.com/s3yUlh3y2w
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 15, 2026

India vs Pakistan Clash Without Rohit Sharma

The match against Pakistan will be different for the Men in Blue because Rohit Sharma will not be present. This is the first India–Pakistan match in any format since 2007 without him in any role. Rohit retired from T20Is after leading India to win the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Rohit played many matches against Pakistan as captain and as a key player. He played in the 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021, 2022, and 2024 T20 World Cups. His absence adds a new angle to the big match in Colombo.

Rohit’s Record and Tournament Update

Rohit scored 130 runs in 12 T20I matches against Pakistan. His average was 14.11, and his strike rate was 117.59. Even though his numbers were not very high, his leadership and experience were important for Team India.

India and Pakistan will face each other for the first time since the Asia Cup last year. India defeated Pakistan three times in that tournament, including the final in Dubai.

The match will take place as planned. Earlier, Pakistan had thought about not playing against India in support of Bangladesh, who were removed from the tournament after refusing to play group matches in India due to security concerns. The ICC rejected those claims.

After talks between Sri Lanka Cricket, the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the Emirates Cricket Board, and an ICC team led by Imran Khawaja with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore, the match was confirmed. Later, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Pakistan team to play against the defending champions.

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 | India’s record in T20 World Cups: year-by-year performance

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:24:42 GMT

India are all set to defend their T20 World Cup title in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Let us have a look at India's year-by-year performance in the upcoming event. The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup is just around the corner, and the excitement cannot get any better with 20 teams participating in the glitterati event. The multi-nation tourney kicked off on February 7 with the Netherlands locking horns against Pakistan in a Group A match at the Sinhalese Cricket Club, Colombo.

Amidst a blend of regular and associate members of the ICC, the Indian side stands as the defending champions, ready to defend their title at their home. However, there haven’t been any instances when a defending champion has successfully defended the T20 World Cup trophy at home. However, the men led by Suryakumar Yadav have been in outstanding touch, as they have yet to lose a T20 bilateral series since their 2-1 loss to West Indies in 2024. On the eve of the World Cup, let us have a look at the Men in Blue's year-wise performance in T20 World Cups.

See More: ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Top 3 Lowest Team Scores in the ICC T20 World Cup History

2007 (Champions)

India finished as the Champions during the inaugural season of the T20 World Cup after beating Pakistan in an iconic final in Johannesburg. Interestingly, their campaign initiated against arch-rivals, Pakistan, where the MS Dhoni-led unit outpowered their counterparts in a one-of-a-kind ‘Bowl Out’ after 40 overs of intense contest failed to dictate an outcome.

Initially, they beat Scotland and Pakistan in the group stage before making it to the semi-finals through the Super Eight stage, thanks to a good net run rate. Eventually, the Indian contingent beat a formidable Australian side in the semi-finals before outsmarting Pakistan in the finals. Gautam Gambhir (227 runs) was the highest run-getter for the Indian side in the tournament.

2009 (Super Eight)

The defending champions failed to defend their crown in the second edition of the competition in England. They beat Bangladesh by 25 runs and rubbished Ireland in the Group stages before incurring a hat-trick of losses against West Indies, South Africa, and England in the Super Eight stages.

2010 (Super Eight)

Another year when India’s campaign exited during the Super Eight stages. The MS Dhoni-led unit had a similar fate to that of the preceding year, where they topped the table in the Group stages but failed to win a game in the Super Eight stages. The Men in Blue beat South Africa and Afghanistan convincingly to ascend to the top of the Group C standings, but were undone by West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Australia in the Super Eight stage.

2012 (Super Eight)

The fourth season of the T20 World Cup wasn’t quite memorable for the Indian contingent under the leadership of MS Dhoni. The transitioning Indian side failed to live up to their expectations despite making it to the Super Eight stages. They beat England and Afghanistan in the Group A matches and topped the standings. However, the Super Eight stages continued to haunt the Men in Blue. They were humbled by Australia at the start of this stage before getting the better of Pakistan and South Africa. However, India had a low net run rate and could not make it to the semi-finals. Virat Kohli was their highest rungetter with 185 runs, while Laxmipathy Balaji picked up nine wickets in the tournament.

2014 (Runners-up)

The 2014 edition saw the return of Yuvraj Singh following his valiant fight against cancer. It was on the brink of becoming a memorable season for India if not for the final against Sri Lanka, where Ajantha Mendis outwitted the majority of the Indian batters

Initiating with the group stages, India won all their games comprehensively and looked like one of the best sides. The trend continued during the Super 10s where the Dhoni-led force peppered every other opposition. Even during the semi-final, they came on top against South Africa. However, they failed to hit the final nail in the coffin after being victimised by a sturdy Lankan side in the final. This was quite a special tournament for the Sri Lankan side as their triumph meant a fitting farewell to two of their legends – Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene from International T20s.

Virat Kohli amassed 319 runs while Ravichandran Ashwin bagged eleven wickets during the event.

See More: 'It’s Hard to Pinpoint What Went Wrong' - Abhishek Nayar reflects on UP Warriorz's WPL 2026 exit

2016 (Semi-Final)

Eyeing their second title, Team India got off to a rocky start after incurring a defeat against the Black Caps by a margin of 47 runs. However, the side bounced back with three back-to-back wins and qualified for the semi-finals. The top eight teams automatically qualified for Super 10s earlier, and the table toppers from Group A and B made an entry

India squared off against the West Indies in the second semi-final, where they scored 192/2, batting first. What seemed like a decent total was overhauled, courtesy of Lendl Simmons and Johnson Charles’ firepower. Additionally, Andre Russell’s 20-ball 43* added to India’s misery as they were knocked off in the semi-finals by the eventual champions.

2021 (Group Stage)

The T20 World Cup post-Covid19 has to be India’s worst outing in the tournament's history. Not once did the side exit from the group stage before the T20 World Cup 2021. The tournament was scheduled to be staged in 2020 but was postponed due to a worldwide pandemic

At the start of the competition, Pakistan outsmarted India by chasing down a 152-run total with ten wickets in hand. Right after, the Virat Kohli-led unit failed to beat New Zealand, where the Black Caps won by eight wickets. Although India won the remaining three matches, their net run rate was bettered by Pakistan and New Zealand, who proceeded to the next stage.

2022 (Semi-Final)

This marked a new era for the Indian contingent under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. Rubbishing their poor campaign last year, the Indian side outpowered Pakistan on their tournament opener to gain momentum in the tournament. It was one of the most memorable Indian victories where Virat Kohli was the central force behind their marching win over the arch-rivals amidst a packed MCG crowd. Subsequently, they defeated the Netherlands by 56 runs before incurring a loss against South Africa by five wickets. However, they walked over Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the subsequent games to reach the semi-finals.

In the knockout stage, the Rohit-led team faced off against England at the Adelaide Oval. They scored 168 runs in 20 overs for the loss of six wickets. As the surface got better to bat on, the Indian bowlers were scrutinised by the English batters. Jos Buttler and Alex Hales’ supreme batting meant the Three Lions chased down the target in 16 overs with ten wickets remaining.

2024 (Champions)

The Men in Blue marched into the 2024 season with a different mindset under captain Rohit and coach Rahul Dravid. Eight months after the agonising defeat against Australia at home during the 2023 Cricket World Cup, the Indian side brought about a new approach in their playing style. The Strategic leadership led the side to break their eleven-year-long ICC title drought.

The peninsular nation kicked off the tournament with a win over Ireland, and followed it up by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan, USA, and the match against Canada was abandoned. Without a doubt, the side topped the charts and reached the Super Eight stage. The momentum continued in this series stage, where they rubbished Afghanistan and knocked off Australia from the tournament to proceed to the semi-finals against England. It resulted in a 68-run victory where the Three Lions failed to tackle Indian spin on a slow-turner at the Providence Stadium, Guyana.

Facing off against a formidable Proteas side in the finals in Bridgetown, the Indian side registered 176 runs on the board, thanks to Axar Patel’s resilience and Virat Kohli’s fighting 76*. The veteran struggled throughout the tournament before making this knock count in the grandest of stages. South Africa were well in the chase for the good part of the second innings before Jasprit Bumrah turned the tide and stood up when it mattered the most. At one point, South Africa needed to score at a run-a-ball pace, but eventually choked, courtesy of a tremendous slog over bowling that was complemented with a scintillating display of fielding, resulting in India’s second T20 World Cup win.

Watch: “I only manage around 70 Meters” – Rohit Sharma jokes with former RCB star at T20 World Cup 2026 event

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:37:04 GMT

Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma was seen having a fun chat with former England captain Kevin Pietersen at a T20 World Cup 2026 event in Dubai. A video of their talk is now viral on social media. They were discussing big sixes when Rohit jokingly asked a question about their arms.

He said, “Look at his biceps and look at mine. Do I need big biceps to hit long sixes?” He added that Pietersen may hit 100-meter sixes, but he is happy to hit the ball just far enough to cross the boundary.

Rohit has played 508 international matches. He has hit 650 sixes in all formats, the most in international cricket. Chris Gayle is second with 553 sixes in 483 matches.

Watch the video here:

Rohit Sharma told Kevin Pietersen in funny way, “Look at my biceps and then look at yours. You hit 100-meter sixes, while I only manage around 70 meters just enough to clear the boundary rope.”😂 pic.twitter.com/RBEG9oQhbE
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 11, 2026

Rohit Sharma now plays only ODI cricket

Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma is now active only in ODI cricket. He retired from T20Is after India won the T20 World Cup in 2024. Later, in May 2025, he also retired from Test cricket. Recently, the right-handed opener played in the ODI series against New Zealand.

Also read -Watch: KL Rahul & Ahan Shetty step out for dinner in Mumbai ahead of IPL 2026

Rohit aims to win the 2027 World Cup

At the same event, the Nagpur-born cricketer spoke about his wish to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup. He said he grew up watching the 50-over World Cup and always saw it as the biggest prize in cricket.

Rohit said he wants to win the World Cup for India. He added that when he was young, there was no T20 World Cup, no IPL, and no World Test Championship. The 50-over World Cup was the biggest event and it came once every four years. He said he will work very hard and do everything possible to win the trophy.

As captain, Rohit came close to winning the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, team India lost the final to Australia in Ahmedabad.

Why will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are not in category A of BCCI Central contract?

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 23:47:54 GMT

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has downgraded Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the central contracts announced on February 9 (Monday). Both players, who were in the A+ category in 2025, have now been moved to Category B. This means they will not get ₹7 crore from the BCCI this year.

This year, the A+ category has been removed, and the top category is now A. Only three players—Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja—are in Category A.

In Category B, along with Rohit and Virat, there are 11 other players, including Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, and KL Rahul. There is no clear reason yet why some players are in one group and others in another. But we can think that since Gill and Bumrah play all formats, they are in Category A. Jadeja plays two formats, but he still plays Tests, unlike Virat and Rohit, so he is also in Category A.

Also read -India vs Pakistan T20 WC 2026 clash to happen as scheduled? Bangladesh president gives official statement

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Downgraded

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma now play only one format. They will not get the Grade A contract. Both quit T20I cricket after winning the 2024 World Cup and gave up Test cricket in May 2025. Their last Test was in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The BCCI has removed the A+ category this year. The top category now is Grade A. Only Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja are in Grade A. Players in Grade B, like Rohit and Virat, will get less money.

Central Contracts 2025-26: Categories and Money

The BCCI has three categories this year: A, B, and C. Earlier, A+ players got ₹7 crore, A got ₹5 crore, B got ₹3 crore, and C got ₹1 crore.

Some players missed out this year. Mohammed Shami is not on the list due to fitness and injuries. Ishan Kishan is absent for the second year. Sarfaraz Khan is also missing, likely because the board focuses on younger all-format or white-ball players.

List of BCCI Men’s Central Contracts 2025-26

Player Name	Category	Price (Annual Fee)
Jasprit Bumrah	Grade A	₹5 Crore
Shubman Gill	Grade A	₹5 Crore
Ravindra Jadeja	Grade A	₹5 Crore
Rohit Sharma	Grade B	₹3 Crore
Virat Kohli	Grade B	₹3 Crore
KL Rahul	Grade B	₹3 Crore
Rishabh Pant	Grade B	₹3 Crore
Hardik Pandya	Grade B	₹3 Crore
Mohammed Siraj	Grade B	₹3 Crore
Suryakumar Yadav	Grade B	₹3 Crore
Kuldeep Yadav	Grade B	₹3 Crore
Yashasvi Jaiswal	Grade B	₹3 Crore
Shreyas Iyer	Grade B	₹3 Crore
Washington Sundar	Grade B	₹3 Crore
Axar Patel	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Rinku Singh	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Tilak Varma	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Sanju Samson	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Arshdeep Singh	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Ruturaj Gaikwad	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Shivam Dube	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Ravi Bishnoi	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Dhruv Jurel	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Prasidh Krishna	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Akash Deep	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Harshit Rana	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Varun Chakravarthy	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Nitish Kumar Reddy	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Abhishek Sharma	Grade C	₹1 Crore
Sai Sudharsan	Grade C	₹1 Crore

Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma Dropped in BCCI 2026 Player Contracts

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:51:56 GMT

BCCI Annual Player Contracts: 2025-26 Season Updates

The BCCI annual player contracts for the 2025-26 season have been announced, bringing significant changes to both the men’s and women’s senior teams. Notably, former captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have faced demotions, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the India cricket senior team 2025-26.

India Men’s Senior Team: Contract Grades

The A+ category has been removed for this season. Only three players made it to Grade A, including Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, who continue to be key pillars of Team India.

Virat Kohli's demotion to Grade B surprised fans, alongside Rohit Sharma's contract update, as both former captains now join eight other players in the B category. Meanwhile, 16 players, including Axar Patel (demoted from B to C), fall under Grade C. The addition of Sai Sudharsan in Grade C marks a promising inclusion for the upcoming season. Five players have been excluded from the contract, who are Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, and a little surprising name of Ishan Kishan, who has lately found his place in the T20I side.

Grade A: Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja

Grade B: Washington Sundar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer

Grade C: Axar Patel, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Dhruv Jurel, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Sai Sudharsan, Ravi Bishnoi, Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Watch: Dilon Heyliger’s splendid aerial catch dismisses Aiden Markram in SA vs CAN T20 WC 2026 clash

Annual Player Retainership: Team India Senior Women

Meanwhile, Jemimah Rodrigues has been promoted to Grade A for her recent strong performances, including in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 success. While Grade A and B have four names each in the senior women's retainership contract, Grade C has 13 names. Shreyanka Patil and Pooja Vastrakar have been excluded from the contract, who missed most of the previous season due to injuries.

Grade A: Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma

Grade B: Renuka Thakur, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh, Sneh Rana

Grade C: Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Kranti Gaud, Uma Chetry, Arundhati Reddy, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, G.Kamalini, Vaishnavi Sharma, Tejal Hasabnis.

Key Takeaways

BCCI annual player contracts have been reshaped for 2025-26.
Virat Kohli's demotion and Rohit Sharma's contract update reflect changes in team hierarchy.
Shubman Gill, a Grade A player, maintains top status along with Jasprit Bumrah retainership.
Jemimah Rodrigues promotion and ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 success highlight rising stars in women’s cricket.

🚨 News 🚨

BCCI announces Annual Player Retainership for Team India Senior Men and Senior Women for the 2025-26 season#TeamIndia | Details 🔽https://t.co/Rd3pUCPRr9 pic.twitter.com/UNYRThs1kW
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 9, 2026

FAQs:

Q1: Who were demoted in the Indian men’s senior team 2025-26?
A1: Virat Kohli's demotion and Rohit Sharma's contract update were the key changes in Grade B.

Q2: Which players made it to Grade A in the men’s team?
A2: Shubman Gill, Grade A player, Jasprit Bumrah retainership, and Ravindra Jadeja, India cricket, were in Grade A.

Q3: Who got promoted in the India women’s cricket contract?
A3: Jemimah Rodrigues promotion to Grade A was a highlight of the season.

Q4: Which women’s players were excluded from the 2025-26 contract?
A4: Shreyanka Patil and Pooja Vastrakar were excluded due to injuries.

Watch: Rohit Sharma politely turns down Mukesh Ambani’s tea offer at Wankhede during IND vs USA T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 12:50:10 GMT

The Ambani family attended the India vs USA T20 World Cup match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. Mukesh and Nita Ambani watched the match with their family members and friends. They were joined by their elder son, Akash Ambani, and their grandchildren.

Former India captain Rohit Sharma also met the Ambani family for a short time.

A video shared online shows Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Foundation chairperson Nita Ambani greeting Rohit Sharma warmly. The couple stood up to welcome him as he arrived at their VIP box.

At one moment, Mukesh Ambani offered a cup of tea to Rohit Sharma, but Rohit politely declined.

Watch the video here:

Last night, Rohit Sharma was going to sit beside Ritika, but Mukesh Ambani asked him to sit next to him instead 🤍 pic.twitter.com/d9YEMXajlv
— Kusha Sharma  (@Kushacritic) February 8, 2026

Also read -Explained: Why Fakhar Zaman and Usman Tariq are not playing in Pakistan vs Netherlands T20 World Cup 2026 match

US Ambassador Meets Ambani Family at Wankhede

US Ambassador Sergio Gor also met Mukesh and Nita Ambani on the sidelines during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match between India and the USA at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

Sharing a post on X, Ambassador Gor wrote, “Great to see my friends Mukesh and Nita Ambani on the sidelines of the #T20WorldCup match between @USACricket and India.”

India Beat USA by 29 Runs

India recovered from an early setback to secure a 29-run win over the USA. Captain Suryakumar Yadav led from the front with a superb unbeaten 84 off 49 balls, hitting 10 fours and four sixes, as India posted 161 for 9 in 20 overs.

Ishan Kishan scored 20 off 16 balls, while Tilak Varma added a quick 25 off 16 deliveries. For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk stood out with figures of 4 for 29, and Harmeet Singh took 2 for 26.

Chasing the target, the USA were held to 132 for 8. Milind Kumar made 34 off 34 balls, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Shubham Ranjane scored 37 runs each. For India, Mohammed Siraj picked up 3 for 29, and Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets each.