Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah are set to retain their A+ contracts despite stepping away from T20 internationals. This decision aligns with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) practice of awarding contracts based on past performances rather than immediate retirements. The 2024-25 contract list is expected to maintain their top-tier status, given their significant contributions during the review period from October 2023 to September 2024. This period saw India’s strong performances, including their 2023 ODI World Cup runner-up finish and the 2024 T20 World Cup victory.
Additionally, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who also retired from T20Is, is likely to remain in the A+ category. BCCI follows a backdated review process when finalizing player contracts, which explains why recent retirements do not immediately impact top performers. However, with the 2025-26 contract decisions set for October, future contracts may reflect more significant changes based on ongoing performances.
Impact of Transition on Player Contracts
With the retirement of key players and a transition phase in Indian cricket, the focus now shifts to the next generation of all-format cricketers. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are the leading contenders for future A+ contracts, though they still have areas to improve across formats. Gill has been exceptional in ODIs but has yet to make a strong mark in Tests and T20Is, while Pant’s best performances have come in the longer format.
Shreyas Iyer is expected to regain his national contract after an impressive showing in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Despite missing out in the previous cycle due to a dispute over his injury status and domestic availability, his commitment to playing in domestic competitions has strengthened his case. Similarly, Ishan Kishan, who was dropped from the squad for skipping domestic games, could make a return.
On the other hand, Mohammed Shami may miss out on a contract due to his prolonged injury absence. However, BCCI has previously made exceptions for injured players, leaving room for reconsideration. Hardik Pandya, who doesn’t play Test cricket, might still retain his A+ status, thanks to his contributions in the T20 World Cup and his all-round abilities.
Promotions and Emerging Talent in the Contract List
BCCI’s contract system categorizes players based on their participation across formats. To qualify for the ₹1 crore Grade C list, a player must have played at least three Tests, eight ODIs, or ten T20Is during the review period. Rising talents like Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan are likely to secure contracts, given their promising performances.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has made an impressive start to his Test career and has performed well in T20Is while pushing for an ODI spot, is a strong candidate for promotion from Grade B. Meanwhile, the upcoming 2025-26 contract cycle will be a turning point, as performances in recent tournaments, including the Champions Trophy win and India’s struggles in Test cricket, will play a decisive role in reshaping the contract list.
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