The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce its annual retainership contracts for the 2024-25 season, with several high-profile changes expected. One of the biggest talking points is the likely reinstatement of Shreyas Iyer, who was dropped from last year’s central contract list due to multiple controversies and inconsistent performances. However, his recent resurgence, including a standout role in India’s victorious ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, has put him back in contention for a Grade A contract. His leadership in domestic cricket and strong performances in international matches have further strengthened his case for re-entry into the retainership system.
The BCCI’s central contract system is a structured retainership model designed to reward senior men's cricketers based on their contributions to Indian cricket. Players are divided into four grades:
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Grade A+: ₹7 crore
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Grade A: ₹5 crore
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Grade B: ₹3 crore
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Grade C: ₹1 crore
Apart from financial benefits, centrally contracted players enjoy numerous perks, including medical assistance at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), travel reimbursements, and access to world-class training facilities. The retainership system also ensures that players have financial security, allowing them to focus entirely on their game without distractions.
To be eligible for a central contract, a player must meet at least one of the following criteria:
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Have played at least 3 Test matches
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Have played a minimum of 8 One Day Internationals (ODIs)
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Have played 10 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
The upcoming contract announcements are expected to confirm some key changes, including:
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Shreyas Iyer’s Return: His spectacular performance in the Champions Trophy, where he was one of India's leading run-scorers, has ensured his return to the contract list. With his recent domestic and international form, he is expected to be awarded a Grade A contract.
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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Status: Despite their retirement from T20Is, both players remain crucial in ODIs and Test cricket. They are likely to retain their Grade A+ contracts, cementing their positions as pillars of Indian cricket.
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Ishan Kishan’s Exclusion: The wicketkeeper-batter, who has been out of the Indian team for several months, may not receive a central contract this time. His absence from international cricket and non-participation in domestic tournaments have raised concerns about his commitment to the national team.
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Rise of Young Stars: Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma are expected to maintain or improve their contract grades, given their consistent performances in international cricket.
The most recent list of centrally contracted players for the 2023-24 season was as follows:
Grade A+:
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Rohit Sharma
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Virat Kohli
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Jasprit Bumrah
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Ravindra Jadeja
Grade A:
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Ravichandran Ashwin
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Mohammed Shami
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Mohammed Siraj
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KL Rahul
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Shubman Gill
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Hardik Pandya
Grade B:
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Suryakumar Yadav
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Rishabh Pant
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Kuldeep Yadav
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Axar Patel
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
Grade C:
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Rinku Singh
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Tilak Varma
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Ruturaj Gaikwad
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Shardul Thakur
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Shivam Dube
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Ravi Bishnoi
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Jitesh Sharma
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Washington Sundar
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Mukesh Kumar
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Sanju Samson
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Arshdeep Singh
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KS Bharat
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Prasidh Krishna
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Avesh Khan
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Rajat Patidar
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Sarfaraz Khan
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Dhruv Jurel
In addition to the retainership, players are entitled to match fees, which include:
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Test matches: ₹15 lakh per match
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ODIs: ₹6 lakh per match
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T20Is: ₹3 lakh per match
The BCCI’s central contracts are reviewed annually, with performances across formats influencing a player’s placement. The final list for the 2024-25 season will reveal whether underperforming players are demoted or removed, and if rising talents are rewarded with upgraded contracts. With key tournaments like the ICC World Test Championship, the T20 World Cup 2026, and crucial bilateral series ahead, the new contracts will reflect India's long-term strategy in international cricket.
