The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced its central contracts list for the 2025 season on Monday, featuring a 34-strong roster of players across four categories: A+, A, B, and C. India’s Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma and batting maestro Virat Kohli retained their spots in the elite A+ category, joined by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, previously out of favor, made notable comebacks in lower brackets, signaling their return to the national fold.
This article delves into the details of the BCCI central contracts, highlighting key players, category breakdowns, and the significance of the retainership structure for Indian cricket.
A+ Category: The Cream of Indian Cricket
The A+ category, reserved for India’s top performers, carries an annual retainership fee of Rs 7 crore. This elite group remains unchanged from recent years, featuring:
- Rohit Sharma: The Indian captain across formats, known for his aggressive batting and tactical acumen.
- Virat Kohli: A global cricketing icon, Kohli continues to dominate with his consistency and match-winning performances.
- Jasprit Bumrah: India’s pace bowling leader, whose unique action and wicket-taking ability make him indispensable.
- Ravindra Jadeja: The all-round dynamo, excelling with bat, ball, and in the field.
These players represent the pinnacle of Indian cricket, with their contributions critical to India’s success in Test, ODI, and T20 formats.
A Category: The Core of Team India
The A category, with a retainership of Rs 5 crore, includes players who form the backbone of the Indian team. A significant change this year is the return of Rishabh Pant to this category, replacing the retired Ravichandran Ashwin. Pant, who was demoted to Group B during the 2023-24 season due to his recovery from a life-threatening accident, has made a remarkable comeback.
The A category players are:
- Mohammed Siraj: A key pace bowler with fiery spells.
- KL Rahul: A versatile batsman across formats.
- Shubman Gill: The young batting prodigy tipped for greatness.
- Hardik Pandya: The dynamic all-rounder and T20 specialist.
- Mohammed Shami: The experienced seamer, known for his swing and accuracy.
- Rishabh Pant: The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, back in top form.
Pant’s return to the A category underscores his importance to the team, especially after his stellar performances post-recovery.
B Category: Rising Stars and Comeback Heroes
The B category, offering Rs 3 crore annually, includes players who are either on the cusp of greatness or have made significant contributions. The most notable inclusion here is Shreyas Iyer, who was dropped last season for reportedly prioritizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic cricket. Iyer, a hero of India’s Champions Trophy campaign, has earned his place back through consistent performances.
The B category players are:
- Suryakumar Yadav: The T20 batting sensation.
- Kuldeep Yadav: The wrist-spinner with a knack for breakthroughs.
- Axar Patel: The reliable all-rounder.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: The young opener with a bright future.
- Shreyas Iyer: The middle-order mainstay, back in the fold.
Iyer’s return highlights the BCCI’s emphasis on rewarding players who balance domestic and international commitments.
C Category: The Future of Indian Cricket
The C category, with a retainership of Rs 1 crore, is the largest group, featuring 19 players. This category includes a mix of established names, emerging talents, and returning players like Ishan Kishan. Kishan, like Iyer, was dropped last season for prioritizing the IPL but has made a comeback through domestic performances.
The C category also welcomes four new entrants: Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, reflecting the BCCI’s focus on nurturing young talent.
The full C category list includes:
- Rinku Singh
- Tilak Varma
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Shivam Dube
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Washington Sundar
- Mukesh Kumar
- Sanju Samson
- Arshdeep Singh
- Prasidh Krishna
- Rajat Patidar
- Dhruv Jurel
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Ishan Kishan
- Abhishek Sharma
- Akash Deep
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Harshit Rana
This diverse group represents the depth of talent in Indian cricket, with players poised to break into higher categories in the coming years.
Key Takeaways from the BCCI Contracts
- Rohit and Kohli’s Dominance: Their continued presence in the A+ category reaffirms their status as India’s biggest cricketing assets.
- Iyer and Kishan’s Redemption: Their return after being dropped sends a strong message about the importance of domestic cricket.
- Pant’s Comeback: His promotion to the A category is a testament to his resilience and importance to the team.
- Emerging Talent: The inclusion of new faces like Harshit Rana and Abhishek Sharma highlights India’s robust talent pipeline.
- Ashwin’s Absence: The retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin marks the end of an era, with younger players now stepping up.
Why the BCCI Central Contracts Matter
The BCCI’s central contracts system is designed to reward performance, ensure financial stability for players, and incentivize participation in domestic cricket. The tiered structure—ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 7 crore—reflects a player’s contribution to the national team and their consistency across formats.
For fans, the contracts list offers insights into the BCCI’s priorities and the players likely to feature in upcoming series, including the Champions Trophy 2025 and the World Test Championship. The inclusion of young players in the C category also signals India’s long-term planning for the future.
Conclusion
The BCCI’s central contracts for 2025 reflect a blend of stability, redemption, and forward-thinking. With stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli leading the way, comeback stories like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, and emerging stars like Abhishek Sharma, Indian cricket is in robust health. As the team gears up for a busy international calendar, these contracts underscore the depth and talent within the squad.
Stay tuned for more updates on Indian cricket, and follow the journey of these players as they aim to bring glory to the nation!
Keywords: BCCI central contracts 2025, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Indian cricket team, Champions Trophy 2025.