The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released its list of centrally contracted players for the 2024–25 season, bringing back Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan after their omission from last year’s roster. Both players were previously left out due to disciplinary concerns, but have since demonstrated their value.
Iyer has made a strong comeback to the national side, contributing significantly in India’s Champions Trophy victory, earning him a place in the Grade B category. Kishan, who has shown good form in the ongoing IPL 2025 season, has been added to Grade C.
Top Players Retained in A+ Category Amid Retirement Speculation
Despite earlier speculations regarding the possible demotion of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja following their retirement from T20 internationals, the trio, along with Jasprit Bumrah, has been retained in the A+ category. This top tier carries an annual salary of INR 7 crore.
The A category, worth INR 5 crore, includes names like Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, and a returning Rishabh Pant, who was promoted after consistent performances and recovery from injury.
Young Talents Receive Their Maiden Contracts
The 2024–25 list reflects BCCI’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent, with several youngsters receiving their first central contracts. Players like Rajat Patidar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Abhishek Sharma have been inducted into the Grade C category, which offers an annual salary of INR 1 crore.
Others in this category include Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, and Dhruv Jurel. The Grade B bracket (INR 3 crore) now features Shreyas Iyer, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel. The grading system — A+, A, B, and C — is based on players’ performances and contributions across all three formats.
With a balanced mix of experience and promising young players, the BCCI’s 2024–25 central contracts reflect a strategic approach to team building, providing structure and reward for consistent national performance.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.