BCCI Central Contract List 2025

A Deep Dive into Inclusions, Exclusions, and Strategic Shifts

On April 14, 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled its central contract list for the Indian men’s national cricket team, a pivotal announcement that shapes the squad’s core for the upcoming season. The 34-player list, segmented into Grades A+, A, B, and C, welcomes back Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, introduces seven new faces, and reflects significant strategic shifts through promotions, exclusions, and retirements. This blog takes an in-depth look at the changes, their implications, and what they signal for Indian cricket’s future.

Overview of the Contract Structure

The BCCI’s central contract system categorizes players based on their experience, performance, and importance to the national team. The four grades are:

• Grade A+: Reserved for the team’s elite, typically captain, vice-captain, and key all-format players.
• Grade A: Established players with consistent roles across formats.
• Grade B: Players with regular spots, often format-specific or on the cusp of Grade A.
• Grade C: Emerging talents, fringe players, or those proving themselves for higher grades.

The 2025 list retains this structure, with 34 players distributed across the grades. Let’s break down the key updates.

Key Highlights

1. Return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan
   Shreyas Iyer, previously excluded due to inconsistent form and domestic participation concerns, makes a comeback in Grade B. His leadership in domestic cricket and IPL performances likely paved the way for his return. Ishan Kishan, absent last season due to personal breaks and selection debates, secures a spot in Grade C, signaling his reintegration into the national setup.
2. Seven New Faces in Grade C
   The BCCI has injected fresh talent into the list, with seven players earning their first central contracts:
• Dhruv Jurel: A promising wicketkeeper-batter with composed performances in Tests.
• Sarafraz Khan: A run-machine in domestic cricket, finally rewarded for his consistency.
• Nitish Reddy: An all-rounder with immense potential, shining in limited opportunities.
• Abhishek Sharma: A dynamic opener with explosive IPL form.
• Akash Deep: A pace bowler impressing in Tests with his swing and pace.
• Varun Chakaravarthy: A mystery spinner regaining selectors’ trust after a strong domestic season.
• Harshit Rana: A tall pacer with raw pace, earmarked for the future.

These inclusions reflect the BCCI’s focus on building depth across formats.

3. Rishabh Pant’s Promotion
   Rishabh Pant’s elevation from Grade B to Grade A is a testament to his remarkable comeback. The wicketkeeper-batter’s aggressive batting and improved glovework have made him indispensable across formats, especially after his recovery from a life-threatening accident in 2022.
4. R Ashwin’s Retirement
   The retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin, a stalwart spinner and former Grade A player, marks the end of an era. His absence opens opportunities for younger spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy to step up.
5. Significant Shuffle in Grade C
   Grade C sees the most churn, with four players—Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, KS Bharath, and Avesh Khan—dropped. The exclusions suggest a preference for players with recent form or specific skill sets suited to India’s upcoming challenges.

Contract Breakdown by Grade

Grade A+ (4 Players)

The top tier remains untouched, housing India’s core leadership and all-format stars:

• Rohit Sharma: The captain, leading India across formats with his tactical acumen and batting prowess.
• Virat Kohli: The batting maestro, pivotal in Tests and ODIs, with a renewed hunger for runs.
• Jasprit Bumrah: The world’s premier fast bowler, spearheading the pace attack.
• Ravindra Jadeja: The all-round genius, balancing the side with spin, fielding, and lower-order runs.

This group’s consistency underscores their centrality to India’s plans for ICC events and bilateral series.

Grade A (6 Players)

The addition of Rishabh Pant and the exclusion of R Ashwin are the only changes here:

• Rishabh Pant (Promoted from Grade B): His aggressive batting and improved keeping make him a cornerstone.
• Mohammed Shami: The veteran pacer, crucial when fit, especially in Tests.
• Mohammed Siraj: A reliable new-ball bowler, growing into a leader of the pace unit.
• KL Rahul: A versatile batter, key in Tests and ODIs, with occasional keeping duties.
• Shubman Gill: The young star, cementing his place across formats with elegant strokeplay.
• Hardik Pandya: The all-rounder, vital in white-ball cricket despite injury concerns.

Ashwin’s retirement necessitated a reshuffle, but Pant’s promotion strengthens this category’s dynamism.

Grade B (5 Players)

Shreyas Iyer’s return is the standout change in this stable group:

• Suryakumar Yadav: The T20I dynamo, aiming to expand his role in ODIs.
• Kuldeep Yadav: The wrist-spinner, a wicket-taking threat in white-ball formats.
• Axar Patel: The dependable all-rounder, offering spin and handy runs.
• Shreyas Iyer (New inclusion): A middle-order anchor, back after proving his mettle.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal: The young opener, a rising star in Tests with potential in white-ball cricket.

This group balances experience with youth, ensuring depth in the middle order and spin department.

Grade C (19 Players)

The most dynamic category, Grade C reflects India’s focus on nurturing talent:

• Retained Players:
• Rinku Singh: A finisher par excellence in T20Is.
• Tilak Varma: A versatile batter with leadership potential.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad: A technically sound opener, eyeing a permanent spot.
• Ravi Bishnoi: A leg-spinner with T20I promise.
• Washington Sundar: An all-rounder with control and batting depth.
• Mukesh Kumar: A consistent pacer in domestic circuits.
• Sanju Samson: A wicketkeeper-batter, seeking consistency.
• Arshdeep Singh: A left-arm pacer, key in T20Is.
• Prasidh Krishna: A tall pacer, recovering from injuries.
• Rajat Patidar: A middle-order batter with domestic pedigree.
• New Inclusions:
• Dhruv Jurel, Sarafraz Khan, Nitish Reddy, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Akash Deep, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana.
• Dropped Players:
• Shivam Dube: Inconsistent performances led to his exclusion.
• Jitesh Sharma: Outshone by other keeper-batters.
• KS Bharath: Overtaken by Jurel in the Test pecking order.
• Avesh Khan: Dropped due to competition among pacers.

Grade C’s overhaul highlights the BCCI’s intent to fast-track emerging players while maintaining a competitive selection process.

Detailed Analysis of Changes

Inclusions (9 Players)

• Shreyas Iyer (Grade B): His return is a redemption arc. After being dropped last season, Iyer’s leadership in domestic cricket and consistent IPL runs have reinstated his value as a middle-order batter, especially in ODIs and Tests.
• Ishan Kishan (Grade C): Kishan’s inclusion ends speculation about his international future. His explosive batting and keeping skills make him a valuable backup in white-ball formats.
• Newcomers (Grade C): The seven debutants bring versatility. Jurel and Sarafraz strengthen the Test batting, Nitish Reddy and Abhishek Sharma add flair to white-ball setups, while Akash Deep, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Harshit Rana bolster the bowling arsenal.

Exclusions (4 Players)

• Shardul Thakur: The all-rounder’s inconsistent form and injury concerns cost him his spot.
• Jitesh Sharma: Despite T20I appearances, Jitesh faces stiff competition from Samson, Kishan, and Jurel.
• KS Bharath: Jurel’s emergence as a Test keeper-batter has pushed Bharath out.
• Avesh Khan: The pacer’s inability to secure a regular spot amid a crowded pace unit led to his omission.

Promotion

• Rishabh Pant (Grade B to Grade A): Pant’s promotion is well-deserved. His match-winning knocks in Tests, explosive T20I cameos, and reliable keeping justify his elevation to the elite tier.

Retirement

• R Ashwin: The legendary spinner’s exit leaves a void in Test cricket. His 500+ wickets and all-round contributions will be hard to replace, but it opens doors for Kuldeep, Axar, and Chakaravarthy.

Strategic Implications

The 2025 contract list reflects several strategic priorities:

1. Depth Across Formats: The inclusion of multi-format players like Jurel, Sarafraz, and Nitish Reddy ensures India has backups for key positions in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
2. Focus on Youth: With an average age of under 30 in Grade C, the BCCI is investing in the next generation, preparing for transitions as veterans like Kohli and Sharma near the twilight of their careers.
3. Bowling Variety: The addition of Akash Deep (pace), Varun Chakaravarthy (mystery spin), and Harshit Rana (pace) enhances India’s bowling options, crucial for tours to Australia and England.
4. Wicketkeeping Depth: With Pant, Kishan, Jurel, and Samson in the mix, India has robust keeping options, addressing a long-standing concern.
5. Competitive Selection: Dropping players like Dube and Avesh underscores the high stakes, pushing players to perform consistently in domestic and IPL circuits.

What’s Next for Indian Cricket?

With a busy calendar ahead, including the 2025 Champions Trophy, a Test tour to Australia, and preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup, this contract list sets the stage for India’s ambitions. Key questions remain:

• Can Shreyas Iyer reclaim his spot in the Test and ODI XIs?
• Will Ishan Kishan challenge Sanju Samson for the T20I keeper’s role?
• How will newcomers like Jurel and Sarafraz fare in high-pressure international matches?
• Who will fill R Ashwin’s shoes in Test cricket?

The selectors have struck a balance between rewarding form, nurturing potential, and maintaining experience. Fans will eagerly watch how these players translate their contracts into on-field success.

Conclusion

The BCCI’s 2025 central contract list is a blend of continuity and change, reflecting Indian cricket’s dynamic landscape. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan’s return, Rishabh Pant’s promotion, and the influx of seven new talents signal a team in transition, poised for both immediate success and long-term dominance. As India gears up for a challenging season, this list offers a glimpse into the players who will carry the nation’s hopes on the global stage.

For the latest updates on Indian cricket, visit the BCCI official website.