Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will continue to hold their Grade A+ central contracts with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for 2025. Despite announcing their retirement from T20I cricket last year, their contracts remain unchanged, along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
In the 2023-24 retainership list, these four players were placed in the highest bracket. According to reports, the BCCI has decided to retain their Grade A+ status as a tribute to their significant contributions to Indian cricket. Although they no longer play in all three formats, their experience and influence continue to be invaluable to the team.
Shreyas Iyer Expected to Return
Shreyas Iyer, who was left out of the BCCI’s central contract list in 2023-24, is likely to make a return. He had fallen out of favor with the selection committee after refusing to participate in a Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai following his omission from the Indian Test squad after the second Test against England.
At the time, he cited a back injury that prevented him from playing red-ball cricket. However, Iyer has since proved his worth, playing a crucial role in India’s triumph in the 2025 Champions Trophy. He emerged as the team’s highest run-scorer, amassing 243 runs across five innings, which has significantly improved his chances of reclaiming a central contract.
Ishan Kishan’s Wait Continues
Unlike Iyer, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is unlikely to be reinstated in the central contract list for the 2024-25 season. Kishan has not played for India in any format since November 2023. He left the South Africa tour midway, skipped the entire domestic season in 2023-24, and later returned to competitive cricket in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
Despite playing for Jharkhand in all formats during the 2024-25 season and representing India ‘A’ in Australia, his efforts have not yet secured him a spot in the central contract list. His absence from the national squad for an extended period seems to have affected his chances of making a comeback to the BCCI’s retainership structure.
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