Cricket fans, buckle up! The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) just dropped its central contracts list for the 2024-25 season, and it’s a game-changer. From Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan staging jaw-dropping comebacks to Rishabh Pant soaring to the elite Grade A, this announcement is packed with drama, redemption, and raw talent. With 34 players earning coveted retainerships for October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, the BCCI is setting the stage for India’s dominance in world cricket. Let’s dive into the stories, stats, and surprises behind this blockbuster reveal!
Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan: Back in the BCCI’s Good Books
Last year, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons. Dropped from the BCCI’s 2023-24 contracts for prioritizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic cricket, both players faced a harsh reality check. But in true champion style, they’ve bounced back, earning their spots on the 2024-25 contracts list with grit and determination.
Shreyas Iyer: The Captain Who Conquered
Shreyas Iyer’s 2023-24 season was a rollercoaster. Dropped from India’s Test squad mid-series against England for lackluster form and criticized for skipping Ranji Trophy matches (despite being cleared of injury concerns), Iyer hit rock bottom. But the 30-year-old Mumbai batter turned the tables in spectacular fashion. Leading Mumbai to the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy title, the 2024-25 Irani Cup, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Iyer proved he’s more than just a flashy IPL star. His leadership shone through as he guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 playoffs, and his bat roared in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where he topped India’s run charts with 243 runs in five matches, averaging 48.60 with two fifties.
“I’ve learned the hard way that nothing beats hard work and consistency,” Iyer shared in a heartfelt post-match interview. “This contract is a fresh start, and I’m ready to give my all for India.” His Grade B contract is a nod to his resurgence as a middle-order maestro and a leader par excellence.
Ishan Kishan: The Firebrand Returns
Ishan Kishan’s exclusion last year was a wake-up call. The explosive wicketkeeper-batter, who last donned India’s jersey in November 2023, faced flak for skipping Ranji Trophy matches to focus on IPL preparations and the DY Patil T20 tournament. But at 26, Kishan is far from done. He returned to domestic cricket for Jharkhand in 2024-25, piling up runs with his trademark flair. His defining moment? A blistering 106 not out off 47 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2025 opener, leaving bowlers shell-shocked.
“Cricket is my life, and I’m back to prove it,” Kishan told fans on Instagram. His Grade C contract, alongside 18 others, signals the BCCI’s faith in his potential to reclaim his spot as India’s go-to keeper-batter in white-ball cricket.
Rishabh Pant: From Near Tragedy to Grade A Glory
If there’s one story that tugs at the heartstrings, it’s Rishabh Pant’s. After a horrific car accident in December 2022 that could’ve ended his career, Pant was demoted to Grade B last season as he battled his way back to fitness. But the 27-year-old dynamo is no ordinary cricketer. Returning to action in IPL 2024, Pant redefined resilience, and in 2024-25, he cemented his status as India’s premier wicketkeeper-batter across formats. In 10 Tests, he smashed 614 runs at an average of 37.06, including a century and three fifties, while his glovework was nothing short of world-class.
Promoted to Grade A alongside stalwarts like Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Shami, Pant replaces the retired Ravichandran Ashwin in this elite tier. “Rishabh is a once-in-a-generation talent,” gushed former India captain Sourav Ganguly. “His promotion is a reward for his courage and class.” Whether it’s his cheeky sledges behind the stumps or audacious reverse-scoops, Pant is India’s X-factor.
The Untouchable A+ Club: Rohit, Kohli, Bumrah, and Jadeja
The A+ category remains cricket’s equivalent of Mount Olympus, reserved for four titans: captain Rohit Sharma, batting legend Virat Kohli, pace maestro Jasprit Bumrah, and all-round wizard Ravindra Jadeja. Despite Rohit and Kohli stepping away from T20Is after India’s T20 World Cup victory in June 2024, their mastery in Tests and ODIs keeps them at the pinnacle. Bumrah’s lethal yorkers and Jadeja’s all-format brilliance—batting, bowling, and fielding—make them indispensable. At ₹7 crore each, these superstars are the backbone of Indian cricket.
Rising Stars Steal the Spotlight in Grade C
The BCCI’s commitment to nurturing young talent shines through in Grade C, which features 19 players, including seven first-timers who’ve taken Indian cricket by storm:
- Nitish Kumar Reddy: A Test hundred in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy announced his arrival.
- Dhruv Jurel: A Player-of-the-Match award in his second Test against England showcased his grit.
- Abhishek Sharma: A 54-ball 135 in a T20I against England in February 2025 was pure fireworks.
- Varun Chakravarthy: Nine wickets in three Champions Trophy matches made him a spin sensation.
- Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana: These youngsters are knocking on the door of India’s first XI.
Grade C also includes fan favorites like Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sanju Samson, making it a melting pot of established and emerging talent. Notably, the BCCI has scrapped fast-bowling contracts this season, a shift from last year’s strategy.
Surprises and Snubs: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
The 2024-25 contracts list, expanded to 34 players from 30 last season, reflects the BCCI’s vision for a deep talent pool. But not everyone made the cut, and some inclusions raised eyebrows:
- Suryakumar Yadav’s Grade B Status: Despite leading India to T20I glory, Suryakumar remains in Grade B (₹3 crore) alongside Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer. Fans expected a Grade A nod for the T20I captain.
- Omissions: Shardul Thakur, Jitesh Sharma, and KS Bharat were dropped, signaling the BCCI’s focus on youth.
- New Entrants: The seven debutants in Grade C show the BCCI’s confidence in India’s next generation.
Why Domestic Cricket Is the Real MVP
The reinstatement of Iyer and Kishan isn’t just about their talent—it’s a testament to the BCCI’s ironclad emphasis on domestic cricket. Last year’s exclusion of the duo was a bold statement: no player is bigger than the system. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has been vocal about the importance of tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, and players who shirk domestic duties risk losing their contracts. Iyer’s domestic heroics and Kishan’s return to Jharkhand’s fold prove that the path to national glory runs through India’s grassroots.
“Domestic cricket builds character and consistency,” said former India batter VVS Laxman. “The BCCI’s stance ensures players respect the foundation of Indian cricket.”
What’s Next for India’s Contracted Stars?
With a packed calendar ahead, including the 2025-26 World Test Championship cycle and the 2026 T20 World Cup, India’s contracted players are under the microscope. Can Shreyas Iyer cement his ODI spot? Will Ishan Kishan edge out competitors like Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel? And how will Rishabh Pant balance his all-format duties with his IPL leadership role at Delhi Capitals? The rise of youngsters like Nitish Reddy and Abhishek Sharma adds an exciting dimension to India’s future.
