BCCI Announces Central Contracts for 2024–25: Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan Return as 34 Players Make the Cut

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released a list of centrally contracted players for the 2024–25 season, bringing back a few familiar faces and introducing new names into the senior men’s setup. The contracts, which cover the period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, feature a total of 34 players, categorized into four grades.

Rohit, Kohli Retain Top Spot; Bumrah, Jadeja Hold Ground

Team India’s all-format captain Rohit Sharma and veteran batter Virat Kohli remain in the Grade A+ bracket—the highest retainer category worth ₹7 crore annually. They are joined by left-arm all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, both of whom have consistently performed across formats over the past few years.

While Kohli and Rohit continue to hold sway despite debates over transition and workload, their presence underscores the BCCI’s backing for experience in a competitive calendar that includes the Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship cycle.

Arshdeep Singh Reveals Favorite IPL Moment and Bond with Shreyas Iyer

Rishabh Pant Back to A Grade; Ashwin Makes Way

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who had been demoted to Grade B last season due to an extended layoff following a near-fatal car crash in 2022, has made a successful return to Grade A (₹5 crore). His promotion comes as off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin retires, creating room in the higher division.

Pant’s return represents not only his dedication but also the team’s sustained belief in his ability to win games, especially in Test and white-ball formats.

Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan Reinstated After Domestic Snub Row

The major talking point in this year’s contract list is the return of Shreyas Iyer (Grade B) and Ishan Kishan (Grade C), both of whom were controversially dropped last season. Their absence was linked to their decision to skip domestic cricket assignments in favor of IPL and personal breaks, which attracted criticism from selectors and the BCCI.

Their reinstatement suggests a reset in policy, possibly influenced by improved communication or reassurances from players. Iyer, in particular, was India’s top performer in the 2023 Champions Trophy and remains a key middle-order asset.

Young Talent and Wider Bench Strength

The Grade C category (₹1 crore annually) sees the highest number of players—19 in total—including promising youngsters like Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shivam Dube, all of whom have made notable strides in limited-overs cricket.

New additions to the central contract setup include Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, reflecting the selectors’ push to broaden the talent pool ahead of a packed international calendar.