The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced its latest central contracts, marking significant changes for several players.
Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan Reinstated
After being excluded from the previous contract cycle due to non-participation in domestic cricket, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan have regained their central contracts. Iyer, citing a back injury for his earlier absence, has demonstrated remarkable form, becoming India’s top run-scorer during their recent Champions Trophy victory. Suryakumar Yadav, the T20 captain, was placed in Grade B with him. Kishan, who had taken a break for personal reasons, returns to the fold in Grade C.
Promotion for Rishabh Pant
A promotion to Grade A has been granted to wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, as a result of his consistent performances and successful recovery from a serious car accident in December 2022. He now shares this tier with pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj.
Top-Tier Contracts
The elite Grade A+ category continues to feature Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. Notably, only Bumrah remains active across all three formats, as the others have retired from T20 Internationals following India’s World Cup win in the West Indies last year.
Contract Grades and Reported Salaries
While the BCCI has not officially disclosed salary details, media reports suggest the following annual retainers:
- Grade A+: ₹7 crore
- Grade A: ₹5 crore
- Grade B: ₹3 crore
- Grade C: ₹1 crore
These figures underscore the BCCI’s commitment to rewarding players based on performance and contribution.
This reshuffling of contracts highlights the BCCI’s emphasis on domestic cricket participation and consistent performance at the international level.
