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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced its central contract list for the 2024–25 season. While the contract continues to reward top-tier performers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja with Grade A+ retainers, the list has also generated buzz for who didn’t make the cut. With 34 players awarded contracts, the absence of several notable names indicates a conscious shift in selection priorities. The exclusions are not just about statistics—they reflect the BCCI’s evolving outlook on fitness, form, and future-readiness.
Players who missed out on the BCCI’s central contract for the 2025-26 season
The absence of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from the contract list was a no brainer since he hung his boots in international cricket. Once a cornerstone of India’s spin attack, Ashwin’s absence suggested that the selectors need to focus on long-term plans and grooming younger spinners. Although his contributions in Tests remain significant, his limited-overs role had diminished.
Another experienced campaigner, Shardul Thakur, who has delivered impactful performances intermittently across formats, also finds himself out of the list. His form has been inconsistent of late, which may have cost him a contract. Jitesh Sharma and KS Bharat, both viewed as potential successors behind the stumps, have also been excluded, indicating the selectors’ demand for consistent performances at the highest level.
The younger generation hasn’t been spared either. Speedsters like Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Vidwath Kaverappa, who were once viewed as part of India’s fast-bowling future, have all been omitted. This reflects the BCCI’s stand on rewarding form and fitness over hype, a message particularly relevant for players on the fringe of national selection.
Also READ: BCCI central contracts list for 2024–25: Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan return after brief omission
BCCI’s statement of intent reflects in the central contract for players
The structure of the central contracts—Grade A+ (₹7 crore), Grade A (₹5 crore), Grade B (₹3 crore), and Grade C (₹1 crore)—not only categorizes players by stature but also acts as a performance barometer. These financial brackets provide significant incentives for players to maintain peak form across all formats. However, the exclusion of high-profile names suggests that past reputation no longer guarantees security.
The BCCI’s move signals a strategy that values consistency, commitment to domestic cricket, and fitness as non-negotiables. By cutting ties—at least contractually—with certain players, the board is reinforcing its long-term vision. The message is clear: to stay in the reckoning, players must constantly evolve and deliver.
