The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially unveiled the men’s central contracts list for the 2024–25 season, signaling both continuity at the top and a shift toward rewarding fresh performances and emerging talent. Headlining the list are stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, all of whom retain their spots in the elite Grade A+ category, reserved for the most consistent and indispensable performers in Indian cricket.
A significant development in this cycle is the return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan to the central contracts list. After being omitted last year due to their non-participation in domestic cricket, both the players have now been reinstated — Shreyas in Grade B and Ishan in Grade C. Their absences from Ranji Trophy fixtures in early 2024, attributed to injury and a personal break respectively, had previously drawn criticism. However, their re-entry suggests a renewed commitment and recognition of their value to the national side.
As per BCCI’s contract structure, players meeting minimum participation thresholds — three Tests, eight ODIs or ten T20Is — are automatically considered for inclusion in the Grade C category on a pro-rata basis. These contracts not only offer recognition but also come with significant financial incentives. Players in the A+ bracket receive an annual salary of INR 7 crore, followed by INR 5 crore for Grade A, INR 3 crore for Grade B, and INR 1 crore for those in Grade C.
Among the new names gaining attention is Varun Chakravarthy, whose standout performances in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy earned him his first central contract. Meanwhile, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has exited the list following his retirement from international cricket in December 2024.
The board has also awarded central contracts to fresh faces such as Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Abhishek Sharma, acknowledging their rising contributions to Indian cricket. However, there were some notable exclusions this time. Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Jitesh Sharma and KS Bharat have all missed out, a clear sign that the selection process remains tightly aligned with current form and fitness.
Other familiar names have been assigned to various categories based on performance and potential. The T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav finds himself in Grade B, while star all-rounder Hardik Pandya occupies a spot in Grade A alongside Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami and the recently promoted Rishabh Pant. Pant’s jump from Grade B to A is a testament to his impactful return to the squad.
Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Axar Patel are also placed in Grade B, signaling their growing importance. Meanwhile, the Grade C category includes talents such as Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh and Ruturaj Gaikwad — each of whom has shown flashes of brilliance and is considered part of the team’s future roadmap.
This year’s contract list paints a comprehensive picture of where Indian cricket currently stands — balancing the legacy of experienced match-winners with the exciting potential of emerging stars.
