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Comeback Trail: Iyer and Kishan Return to BCCI’s Annual Contracts List

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced its central contracts for the 2024–25 season, and the major talking point is the reinstatement of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan. Both players had been dropped from the previous cycle after skipping domestic Ranji Trophy duties, but the latest update signals a second chance for the talented duo.

While Shreyas Iyer has bounced back strongly with key performances in India’s ODI lineup—particularly during the Champions Trophy win, Ishan Kishan’s return is surprising, considering he hasn’t played international cricket in recent months. Nonetheless, both find themselves in the list once again, with Iyer placed in Grade B and Ishan in Grade C.

No Change at the Top: Rohit and Kohli Hold Grade A+ Despite T20I Retirement

Despite retiring from the T20I format earlier this year, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retained their spots in the Grade A+ category. Their enduring influence in Test and ODI cricket ensures their place among the top-paid players, earning an annual ₹7 crore each.

Joining them are bowling stalwart Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, both consistent performers across formats and critical to India’s campaign in the ongoing cricket calendar.

Suryakumar Yadav Stuck in Grade B Despite T20I Captaincy

In what may seem like an underwhelming reward, Suryakumar Yadav, who now captains India in T20Is, remains in Grade B with a ₹3 crore salary. The reasoning appears to hinge on him being a single-format player. This decision is bound to spark discussions, especially as he continues to be one of India’s most consistent and explosive batters in T20s.

Even more puzzling is the fact that players like Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, who feature in all three formats, are also placed in Grade B, alongside Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Grade A: Rishabh Pant Climbs Up, Ashwin Bows Out

One of the key promotions in this cycle is that of Rishabh Pant, who moves up to Grade A after a dramatic comeback from injury. His resilience and impressive performances in Test matches have earned him a deserved hike to the ₹5 crore category.

With Ravichandran Ashwin officially retiring from international cricket, Pant fills the void in the Grade A category, which also includes KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya.

Grade C: Expanded List Brings in Young Talent

The Grade C list sees a significant expansion, growing from 16 to 19 players, reflecting BCCI’s intention to reward upcoming talent. Noteworthy new entries include:

• Ruturaj Gaikwad

• Harshit Rana

• Akash Deep

• Nitish Kumar Reddy

• Varun Chakaravarthy

These players have impressed with their domestic and IPL performances and are now officially in the BCCI’s long-term plans.

Missing This Year: Fast Bowling Contracts

Last season, the BCCI introduced a special fast bowling contract to reward domestic pacers showing consistent excellence. However, the 2024–25 list omits this category, with no explanation provided yet. Whether this decision is temporary or permanent remains to be seen, but it does signal a potential shift in how domestic bowling talent is scouted and rewarded.

Full Breakdown of BCCI Central Contracts 2024–25

Grade A+ (₹7 crore):

• Rohit Sharma

• Virat Kohli

• Jasprit Bumrah

• Ravindra Jadeja

Grade A (₹5 crore):

• Rishabh Pant

• KL Rahul

• Mohammed Shami

• Mohammed Siraj

• Shubman Gill

• Hardik Pandya

Grade B (₹3 crore):

• Suryakumar Yadav

• Shreyas Iyer

• Yashasvi Jaiswal

• Kuldeep Yadav

• Axar Patel

Grade C (₹1 crore):

• Ishan Kishan

• Ruturaj Gaikwad

• Harshit Rana

• Akash Deep

• Nitish Kumar Reddy

• Varun Chakaravarthy

• (13 others not individually named in the official release)

What This Means for Indian Cricket

The 2024–25 contract list shows a blend of consistency and experimentation. The BCCI has shown loyalty to senior players like Rohit and Kohli, while also welcoming back players who had previously fallen out of favor. Meanwhile, the elevation of new names in Grade C indicates a push toward creating a deeper bench strength, particularly in the face of a busy cricket calendar and growing competition in global formats.

With a new WTC cycle, bilateral series, and Champions Trophy defense on the horizon, these contracts are more than just financial numbers—they reflect India’s roadmap for the next phase of international dominance.