2024–25 BCCI Contracts: 7 New Faces Join the List

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India has released the annual central contracts for Team India (Senior Men) for the 2024-25 season, which will cover the period October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. In total, 34 players have been awarded contracts across four categories: Grade A+, Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C.

Big Comebacks and Promotions

One of the most noteworthy changes is the reinstating of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan on the contract list. While Iyer is classified under Grade B, Kishan finds himself in Grade C. The two were shockingly left out of contracts last year, apparently because of their decisions not to play the Ranji Trophy, which drew the ire of the BCCI. Their comeback signals a new beginning, perhaps after proving their domestic commitment and readiness for international cricket.

Rishabh Pant, a star wicketkeeper-batsman who returned to international cricket in heroic fashion following a car accident, has been elevated from Grade B to Grade A. This upgrade from the BCCI must surely be well-deserved following his performances in all formats and his pivotal role in India’s Test side.

New Faces in the System

The BCCI has rewarded developing talent with central contracts. Sarfaraz Khan, who had a dream Test debut, has been included in Grade C. Along with him, promising young players like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Akash Deep, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Harshit Rana have also been given Grade C contracts for the first time.

These additions suggest the board’s intention to recognize domestic performers and to build a strong bench for the future.

No Changes at the Top

The elite Grade A+ category remains unchanged, featuring India’s most senior and consistently high-performing stars—Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. These four continue to lead Indian cricket in all formats and have maintained their status by their performances over the last year.

Hard-hitting Grade A names include Ravichandran Ashwin, despite his Test retirement during the Australia series, along with Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya.

Demotions

Though the announcements in general are more positive, a few notable omissions have raised eyebrows. Shardul Thakur, Jitesh Sharma, KS Bharat, and Avesh Khan—all formerly on Grade C—were not handed contracts this year. This indicates an apparent reevaluation of their performances and possibly signals a more obvious transition of the board policy to favor development of a younger core.

Ashwin’s case is a little bit peculiar. Even though he still remains in Grade A, it is likely a stopgap measure post his Test retirement. In some great way, the promotion might be to honor his achievement over the years.

BCCI Central Contracts with Full List for 2024-25:

Grade A+: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja

Grade A: R. Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya

Grade B: Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer

Grade C: Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Akash Deep, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana.

Promoted:

Rishabh Pant (Grade B → Grade A)

Shreyas Iyer (No Contract → Grade B)

Ishan Kishan (No Contract → Grade C)

Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Akash Deep, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Harshit Rana (No Contract → Grade C).

Demoted:

Shardul Thakur, Jitesh Sharma, KS Bharat, Avesh Khan (Grade C → No Contract).

With the revised list now, BCCI has definitively stated that the major criteria for a central contract are performance, expressions of commitment to domestic cricket, and the potential to contribute internationally.

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