BCCI Announces 2024-25 Central Contracts: Pant Promoted, Thakur Excluded
PenToday Staff | April 21, 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released its annual central contracts list for the 2024-25 season, revealing significant updates for Team India’s senior men’s squad. The announcement, made on April 20, 2025, highlights promotions, new inclusions, and notable exclusions, reflecting the board’s focus on rewarding consistent performers and nurturing emerging talent.
Key Highlights
- Rishabh Pant’s Promotion: Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been elevated from Grade B to Grade A, recognizing his stellar return to international cricket following a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. Pant’s dynamic performances across formats have solidified his position as a key asset for India.
- Shardul Thakur’s Exclusion: All-rounder Shardul Thakur has been dropped from the central contracts list, alongside Avesh Khan, Jitesh Sharma, and KS Bharat. Thakur’s inconsistent form in recent seasons likely contributed to the decision, marking a significant shift for the pace-bowling all-rounder.
- Return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan: After being excluded from the 2023-24 contracts for prioritizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic cricket, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan have made a comeback. Iyer has been placed in Grade B, while Kishan is in Grade C, signaling their reintegration into the national setup following strong performances, particularly in the Champions Trophy for Iyer.
- New Faces in Grade C: The BCCI has rewarded emerging talents with maiden contracts in Grade C, including Abhishek Sharma, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, and Varun Chakaravarthy. These players have impressed in domestic circuits and limited international appearances, with Harshit Rana and Abhishek Sharma earning praise for their recent contributions.
- Top Tier Unchanged: The elite Grade A+ category remains unchanged, featuring stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. Their consistent excellence continues to anchor India’s cricketing prowess.
Contract Grades and Notable Players
- Grade A+: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja
- Grade A: Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant
- Grade B: Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer
- Grade C: Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan
Context and Implications
The BCCI’s central contracts are a critical indicator of a player’s standing in Indian cricket, offering financial security and recognition. Players in Grade A+ reportedly earn ₹7 crore annually, with Grade A at ₹5 crore, Grade B at ₹3 crore, and Grade C at ₹1 crore, in addition to match fees. The board also maintains a policy of automatically including players in Grade C on a pro-rata basis if they meet specific appearance criteria (3 Tests, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is) within the contract period.
The exclusion of Thakur, Avesh, Jitesh, and Bharat underscores the BCCI’s emphasis on current form and commitment to domestic cricket. Meanwhile, the inclusion of young talents like Abhishek Sharma and Harshit Rana reflects the board’s investment in building a robust pipeline for the future, especially with upcoming events like the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, and 2031 Cricket World Cup on the horizon.
Looking Ahead
As India prepares for a busy international calendar, the updated contracts signal the BCCI’s strategic vision to balance experience with youth. Pant’s promotion and the return of Iyer and Kishan are positive developments, while the absence of Thakur and others serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of Indian cricket. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these changes translate on the field.
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