BCCI Central Contracts 2024-25: Full List of Players, Salaries, Promotions & First-Time Inclusions

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the Central Contracts list for the 2024–25 season, applicable from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. The new list includes 34 players, divided across four graded categories – A+, A, B, and C – based on performance, consistency, fitness, and contribution to Indian cricket across formats.

This year’s contract list reflects continuity, performance-based rewards, and a focus on future prospects. Let’s dive into the structure, key changes, full player list, and what this means for Indian cricket.

BCCI Central Contract Salary Structure

The BCCI’s annual retainership contracts are divided into four tiers:

Grade A+ (₹7 crore): India’s Core Multi-format Players

The elite A+ category comprises India’s most important, all-format players. These cricketers are seen as the spine of the national team.

Players:

• Rohit Sharma 
• Virat Kohli 
• Jasprit Bumrah 
• Ravindra Jadeja 

These four continue to be vital to India’s performance across formats, and their retention in the top tier reflects consistency and leadership.

Grade A (₹5 crore): India’s Reliable Senior Performers

The Grade A category includes players who are regulars in at least two formats or are key to India’s squad strategy.

Players:

• Mohammed Siraj 
• KL Rahul 
• Shubman Gill 
• Hardik Pandya 
• Mohammed Shami 
• Rishabh Pant (Promoted after comeback) 

Notably, Rishabh Pant’s promotion after his injury recovery is a strong vote of confidence in his match-winning ability and long-term role.

Grade B (₹3 crore): Key Contributors and Format Specialists

This group includes players who have been consistent in at least one format or are specialists showing high impact.

Players:

• Suryakumar Yadav 
• Kuldeep Yadav 
• Axar Patel 
• Yashasvi Jaiswal 
• Shreyas Iyer (Returns after being dropped in 2023-24) 

Shreyas Iyer’s comeback is notable, especially after being left out of the previous year’s list due to fitness and form concerns.

Grade C (₹1 crore): Emerging Stars and Format-Specific Talent

The Grade C list is the most extensive, comprising a mix of young talents, IPL performers, and players on the fringe of regular selection.

Players:

• Rinku Singh 
• Tilak Varma 
• Ruturaj Gaikwad 
• Shivam Dube 
• Ravi Bishnoi 
• Washington Sundar 
• Mukesh Kumar 
• Ishan Kishan (Returns to list) 
• Sanju Samson 
• Arshdeep Singh 
• Prasidh Krishna 
• Rajat Patidar 
• Dhruv Jurel 
• Sarfaraz Khan 
• Nitish Kumar Reddy (Maiden contract) 
• Abhishek Sharma (Maiden contract) 
• Akash Deep 
• Varun Chakaravarthy (Maiden contract) 
• Harshit Rana (Maiden contract) 

This list reflects BCCI’s effort to reward emerging talent and strengthen India’s bench strength across all formats.

Major Highlights & Talking Points

1. Promotions & Comebacks

• Rishabh Pant – Promoted to Grade A after returning from injury. 
• Ishan Kishan – Back in the contract list in Grade C. 
• Shreyas Iyer – Reinstated in Grade B after missing out last year. 

2. First-Time Contract Holders

• Varun Chakaravarthy – Recognized after a strong run in white-ball formats. 
• Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Abhishek Sharma – Rewarded for consistent domestic and IPL performances. 

3. Exclusions

• Ravichandran Ashwin – Not included after announcing retirement in December 2024. 
• Others dropped: Shardul Thakur, Jitesh Sharma, KS Bharat, Avesh Khan 

What Are BCCI Central Contracts?

The BCCI Central Contracts are annual agreements between selected Indian cricketers and the BCCI. These contracts were introduced in 2004 to provide financial security, promote performance-based incentives, and build a structured talent pipeline.

Purpose of Central Contracts:

• Offer fixed annual retainers 
• Promote fitness and consistency 
• Incentivize performance across formats 
• Provide additional perks (match fees, bonuses, travel benefits) 

Selections are reviewed annually based on:

• Match performance 
• Fitness levels 
• National team relevance 
• Role in future planning 

Full Summary Table – BCCI Central Contracts 2024–25

Conclusion

The BCCI Central Contracts 2024-25 reflect a well-balanced approach—rewarding performance, encouraging fitness and professionalism, and investing in youthful energy.

While stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jadeja continue to lead the core group, the rise of Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and newcomers like Harshit Rana shows BCCI’s intent to build for the future.

Whether it’s comeback stories, first-time entries, or well-earned promotions—this contract list captures the evolving face of Indian cricket.

• Image Credits: Indiancricketteam/Insta