The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the central contract list for the 2024-25 season, and the headline news is the return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan to the roster. Both players were previously dropped earlier in the year for skipping Ranji Trophy duties, but have now made their way back with Shreyas earning a Grade B contract following a stellar Champions Trophy campaign and Ishan being placed in Grade C despite not featuring in any international games since his omission.
Apart from their re-inclusion, there are no major surprises in terms of promotions or demotions. The elite Grade A+ category, which carries an annual retainership of ₹7 crore, continues to feature senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. Rishabh Pant has moved up from Grade B to Grade A following Ashwin’s retirement, joining the likes of KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya, all of whom will now earn ₹5 crore annually.
Suryakumar Yadav, despite leading India in T20Is, retains his Grade B status along with Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer. The Grade C list, which offers ₹1 crore, has expanded to 19 players this cycle, reflecting India’s evolving bench strength. Newcomers like Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Varun Chakaravarthy have been rewarded with central contracts. Interestingly, unlike last year, the BCCI has opted not to issue separate fast bowling contracts this time around.
BCCI Central Contracts 2024-25 Player List
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the central contracts for the 2024-25 season, listing 34 players across four categories. Leading the way in the top-tier A+ bracket which offers an annual retainership of ₹7 crore are captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah, continuing their hold on the highest echelon of Indian cricket contracts. Among the most eye-catching developments this year is the return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who had been axed from the list in the previous cycle for reportedly prioritizing the IPL over domestic red-ball cricket.
Shreyas, who played a pivotal role in India’s Champions Trophy triumph, has been placed in Grade B, earning ₹3 crore annually, marking a significant redemption arc. Ishan, on the other hand, despite not featuring in any international game since his exclusion, finds himself back in the fold in Grade C, which carries a ₹1 crore retainership. The new list reflects both continuity and a degree of forgiveness, as the BCCI balances performance, discipline, and potential in its latest round of contracts.
GRADE | NUMBER | PLAYERS |
A+ | 1 | Rohit Sharma |
2 | Virat Kohli | |
3 | Jasprit Bumrah | |
4 | Ravindra Jadeja | |
A | 5 | Md. Siraj |
6 | KL Rahul | |
7 | Shubman Gill | |
8 | Hardik Pandya | |
9 | Md. Shami | |
10 | Rishabh Pant | |
B | 11 | Suryakumar Yadav |
12 | Kuldeep Yadav | |
13 | Axar Patel | |
14 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | |
15 | Shreyas Iyer | |
C | 16 | Rinku Singh |
17 | Tilak Verma | |
18 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | |
19 | Shivam Dube | |
20 | Ravi Bishnoi | |
21 | Washington Sundar | |
22 | Mukesh Kumar | |
23 | Sanju Samson | |
24 | Arshdeep Singh | |
25 | Prasidh Krishna | |
26 | Rajat Patidar | |
27 | Dhruv Jurel | |
28 | Sarfaraz Khan | |
29 | Nitish Kumar Reddy | |
30 | Ishan Kishan | |
31 | Abhishek Sharma | |
32 | Akash Deep | |
33 | Varun Chakaravarthy | |
34 | Harshit Rana |
What is the BCCI Central Contract?
The BCCI Central Contract is an annual agreement offered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to senior men’s cricketers, categorizing them into four grades based on their performance, consistency, and contribution to the national team. The contract tiers are as follows:
- Grade A+: ₹7 crore per year
- Grade A: ₹5 crore per year
- Grade B: ₹3 crore per year
- Grade C: ₹1 crore per year
To be eligible, a player must have featured in at least 3 Test matches, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is in the evaluation period.
Besides the annual retainer, contracted players enjoy several perks, including complimentary rehabilitation services at the National Cricket Academy, travel reimbursements, and access to elite training facilities. Additionally, players earn match-specific fees: ₹15 lakh for a Test match, ₹6 lakh for an ODI, and ₹3 lakh for a T20I, paid separately from their annual retainership.
Conclusion
The BCCI Central Contracts for 2024-25 reflect a balanced blend of consistency, accountability, and future planning. With senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah continuing to lead the way in the A+ bracket, and the return of previously dropped names like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, the board has shown both firmness and flexibility. The inclusion of promising youngsters and fresh faces in the Grade C category signals the BCCI’s intent to nurture emerging talent while maintaining a strong core. Overall, the contract list offers a clear view of India’s cricketing roadmap for the upcoming season, ensuring both performance and potential are duly recognized.
FAQs
What is the central contract of BCCI?
The BCCI Central Contracts are split into four tiers – Grade A+ with a salary of ₹7 crore, Grade A with a salary of ₹5 crore, Grade B with a salary of ₹3 crore and Grade C with ₹1 crore.
Who is the A+ grade player in India in 2024?
Indian stars Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah are set to continue their A+ grade in the upcoming Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) central contract list for 2025-26. As per sources close to Sports Tak, the BCCI will announce the central contract list by the end of this week.
What is the grade of Virat Kohli in BCCI?
Virat Kohli is included in the Grade A+ category of BCCI for 2025 too annually getting INR 7 crore alongside Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah.
What is the salary of Rishabh Pant?
Rishabh Pant’s salary is a significant sum, particularly within the Indian Premier League (IPL). His IPL salary for the 2025 season is Rs 27 crore, making him the highest-paid captain in the league, playing for Lucknow Super Giants. Additionally, he earns an annual salary of Rs 3 crore from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Does BCCI give pension?
Yes, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) provides monthly pensions to former cricketers and match officials. The BCCI has increased the monthly pension for former cricketers, including first-class cricketers and women cricketers. The amount of the pension varies based on factors like the number of matches played and whether the player was a Test player or a first-class cricketer. For instance, former Test players receive a higher pension than those who played first-class cricket.