The wait is finally over! The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially unveiled its BCCI Central Contract List 2025, and it’s making headlines for all the right reasons. From senior stars holding onto their elite status to rising talent getting their first contracts, this year’s list is a perfect mix of experience and fresh energy.
Let’s dive into the full breakdown — who made it to the top, who earned a promotion, and which new names are making waves in Indian cricket.
A+ Grade – The Elite Club (₹7 Crore)
The A+ Grade is reserved for India’s most dependable and format-consistent cricketers — the ones who represent India across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. This year, four big names continue their reign:
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Ravindra Jadeja
These four are not only stars but also pillars of Indian cricket. From captaining the team to providing match-winning performances, their inclusion in this list is completely justified.
Grade A – The Core Team (₹5 Crore)
These cricketers are the pillars of Team India across all formats, consistently anchoring the squad. Featured in the Grade A category are
- Mohammed Siraj
- KL Rahul
- Shubman Gill
- Hardik Pandya
- Mohammed Shami
- Rishabh Pant
With key contributions in recent series, all these names have shown consistency, versatility, and impact.
Grade B – The Rising and Returning Stars (₹3 Crore)
Here’s where things get interesting. This year’s Grade B roster shines with standout promotions and surprising returns:
- Shreyas Iyer – Dropped last season, he has sensationally made a comeback with a great domestic and Champions Trophy performance.
- Kuldeep Yadav has been promoted to Grade B due to his excellent spin bowling.
- Axar Patel – Similarly, for consistent all-round contributions.
- Suryakumar Yadav – T20 mainstay who continues to dazzle.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – The young left-hander continues to grow across formats.
These players are knocking hard on the doors of the A grade with their regular match-winning performances.
Grade C – Emerging Talent & Rising Stars (₹1 Crore)”
The Grade C list features an exciting mix of uncapped potential and comeback stories. Several new faces have earned their first central contracts based on recent IPL, domestic, and India A performances:
- 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
Some of these players, like Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, are making a return, while others like Abhishek Sharma and Harshit Rana are receiving recognition for the first time.
Notable Absences
The big name missing from this year’s list is Ravichandran Ashwin, who has retired from international cricket. While fans will miss seeing him in action, his legacy remains unmatched in Indian cricket history.
Central Contract Structure – At a Glance
The BCCI’s contract structure rewards performance, consistency, and contribution across formats:
Grade Annual Salary Player Criteria
| Grade | Annual Salary | Player Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | ₹7 Crore | Plays all 3 formats regularly |
| A | ₹5 Crore | Consistent performers in 2 or more formats |
| B | ₹3 Crore | Emerging or recently consistent players |
| C | ₹1 Crore | Newcomers or format specialists |
Why Is This Contract List So Important?
- BCCI’s central contract list isn’t just a formality. It plays a vital role in:
- Recognizing and rewarding performance
- Defining future team strategies
- Highlighting selection trends
- Boosting players’ morale and market value
This year’s list reflects a clear vision: support seasoned players, reward consistent performers, and give promising youngsters a shot at the big stage.
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Final Thoughts
The BCCI Central Contract List 2025 is a good balance between rewarding veteran performers and keeping an eye out for fresh blood. The return to limelight of Shreyas Iyer, the return of Kuldeep and Axar, and the inclusion of new blood at Grade C are all indications of a healthy, competitive, and motivating future for Indian cricket.
FAQs – BCCI Central Contract List 2025
1. How many players are in the A+ Grade this year?
The top-tier Grade A+ list includes just four icons: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja
2. Why is Shreyas Iyer’s promotion a big deal?
Coming back after having been dropped last year, Iyer’s aggressive return to Grade B indicates the selectors’ trust in his current form and promise.
3. What is the salary structure of BCCI contracts?
Top-tier A+ cricketers rake in ₹7 crore a year, while A category players earn ₹5 crore, B class bags ₹3 crore, and C grade players receive ₹1 crore annually
4. Has R. Ashwin made it to the contract list for this year?
No, since R. Ashwin has retired from international cricket, he is not part of the 2025 central contract list.
