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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released their central contracts list for the 2024–25 season on Monday, April 21, covering the period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
The two of the most talked-about inclusions were Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, both of whom were left out of the previous contract cycle. Their return marks a notable turnaround in their respective careers after months of scrutiny, media speculation, and questions around their commitment to domestic cricket. This new cycle includes a total of 34 players who have been awarded annual retainerships across four categories: Grade A+, A, B, and C.
Shreyas Iyer’s comeback: From omission to redemption
Iyer’s return to the central contracts list is particularly notable. Once considered a linchpin in India’s middle order, Iyer fell out of favour after reportedly skipping a Ranji Trophy fixture in February 2024, citing injury concerns. His absence, combined with inconsistent form, led to his exclusion from the 2023–24 contracts, sparking debates over selection ethics and the importance of domestic cricket.
However, the Mumbai batter worked his way back into contention through a strong showing in the latter part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 and limited-overs matches for India especially in the Champions Trophy 2025 . His discipline, improved fitness, and renewed domestic appearances have seemingly convinced the selectors. As a result, Iyer has been included in Grade B, which entitles him to an annual remuneration of INR 3 crore.
Ishan Kishan’s return: After hiatus and criticism
Much like Iyer, Kishan had a turbulent 2023–24, voluntarily taking a break from cricket for personal reasons. The break saw him skip the Ranji Trophy season for Jharkhand, which led to his removal from the central contract list last year. His absence from international cricket and reports of not keeping the BCCI in the loop added to the controversy.
However, Kishan’s performances in white-ball cricket and a proactive return to the domestic circuit helped him earn back the board’s trust. His comeback has been rewarded with a spot in Grade C, which offers INR 1 crore annually. While he is yet to regain a consistent spot in India’s playing XI, his inclusion in the contracts list is an encouraging sign of a possible resurgence.
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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retain top bracket despite T20I retirement
Notably, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, despite announcing their retirement from T20Is earlier this year, retained their places in the prestigious Grade A+ category. They are joined by Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, forming the elite group of cricketers who will earn an annual remuneration of INR 7 crore.
The central contract list also features new entrants including Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Abhishek Sharma, reflecting India’s focus on grooming emerging talents The BCCI has emphasized performance, availability, and domestic cricket participation as pillars for central contract eligibility. According to the current policy, players are eligible for a Grade C contract on a pro-rata basis if they have played a minimum of 3 Tests, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is during the eligibility period.
Full list of BCCI central contracts for 2024-25
The BCCI has retained their grading system:
- Grade A+ (INR 7 crore): Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja
- Grade A (INR 5 crore): Md. Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Md. Shami, Rishabh Pant
- Grade B (INR 3 crore): Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer
- Grade C (INR 1 crore): Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Rajat Patidar, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Akash Deep, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana
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