The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the central contracts for the 2025–26 season, awarding contracts to 34 players across four different categories. This annual announcement not only highlights the top performers of Indian cricket but also reflects the BCCI’s trust in emerging talent.
Four-Tier Contract System Explained
The Indian board continues its four-tier grading system, dividing players into Grades A+, A, B, and C based on their performance, consistency, and role in the team across formats.
Grade A+ – The Elite Group
Only four cricketers have secured the topmost Grade A+ contract, signifying their vital role in the Indian team across all formats. These include:
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Ravindra Jadeja
These players are regarded as the backbone of Indian cricket and will receive the highest annual salary among the contracted players.
Grade A – Core Performers
The A category features six consistent performers who have been instrumental in India’s recent successes. They are:
- Mohammed Siraj
- KL Rahul
- Shubman Gill
- Hardik Pandya
- Mohammed Shami
- Rishabh Pant
These players are either regular starters or vital in one or more formats, ensuring they remain key figures in India’s cricketing plans.
Grade B – Rising Stars and Solid Contributors
This group consists of five players who have shown potential or contributed significantly over the past year. Their presence on the list indicates growing faith in their abilities by the selectors and the board.
Grade C – A Platform for Newcomers
The largest number of players—19—fall under the Grade C contract. This category includes a mix of emerging talents and backup players who’ve shown promise in domestic or international outings. Notably, the following players have earned their first-ever central contracts:
- Dhruv Jurel
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Abhishek Sharma
- Nitish Reddy
- Harshit Rana
- Akash Deep
- Varun Chakravarthy
Their inclusion is a nod to the Indian team’s strong bench strength and the board’s effort to reward domestic excellence.
Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan Back on Contract List
After a dip in form and consistency last season, both Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan have made their way back onto the contract list. This suggests that the selectors still see them as valuable assets, especially in the limited-overs format.
Who Missed Out on Contracts This Year?
While some players have returned or debuted on the list, a few known names have failed to secure contracts this time. Notable absentees include:
- Avesh Khan
- Shardul Thakur
- Jitesh Sharma
- KS Bharat
These players were part of the central contract list in the previous season but have not made the cut for 2025–26, possibly due to form, fitness, or team strategy shifts.
Central Contract Salaries – Big Rewards for Top Performers
BCCI’s central contracts come with substantial financial rewards. Here’s a breakdown of what each grade earns annually:
- Grade A+: ₹70 million INR (Approx. ₹23.8 crore PKR)
- Grade A: ₹50 million INR (Approx. ₹16.4 crore PKR)
- Grade B: ₹30 million INR (Approx. ₹9.86 crore PKR)
- Grade C: ₹10 million INR (Approx. ₹3.28 crore PKR)
In addition to these base salaries, players also receive match fees, performance bonuses, and endorsement opportunities, making it a lucrative deal for top-level cricketers.
A Future-Focused Strategy by BCCI
The 2025–26 central contract list reflects BCCI’s approach toward building a robust squad for future ICC tournaments. With a perfect blend of seasoned pros and promising youngsters, the board aims to maintain India’s dominance across all formats.
The inclusion of fresh talent like Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, and others also shows that strong domestic performances are being recognized and rewarded.
As India continues to gear up for the ICC World Test Championship and upcoming white-ball tournaments, the central contract list offers a clear view of who’s in the mix—and who needs to step up their game to get back on the board’s radar.
Stay tuned for more updates on Indian cricket and exclusive player insights.
