The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed its annual player retainership for 2024-25 on April 21, showcasing some exciting updates to the list of centrally contracted players. Team captain Rohit Sharma and prominent players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja continue to hold their prestigious A+ contracts.
In a remarkable comeback, wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant has been elevated from Grade B to Grade A after returning to international cricket following a serious car accident in December 2022. Shreyas Iyer has also made a splash by moving into Grade B, thanks to his standout performances that helped India clinch the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Iyer notably scored 243 runs across five innings in the tournament, making him the second-highest run-scorer with an average of 48.60, which included two fifties. Wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan has secured a spot in Grade C this year, after missing out on a contract last season.
Though both Iyer and Kishan faced questions about their absence from domestic cricket, the BCCI did not elaborate on this matter. On a positive note, Varun Chakravarthy has earned his first contract in Grade C, following a successful return to international cricket in 2024. He was among the top wicket-takers in the ICC Champions Trophy, taking nine wickets in just three matches.
All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy also claimed his first central contract after impressing in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where he played a key role down the order, including a century in the fourth Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Additionally, Abhishek Sharma, alongside fast bowlers Akash Deep and Harshit Rana, received their first contracts after making a significant impact in international matches during the 2024-25 season.
On the flip side, Jitesh Sharma, Shardul Thakur, KS Bharat, and Avesh Khan will not be retaining their contracts in Grade C. Veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin exited his Grade A contract as he announced his international retirement in December 2024.
