The BCCI Central Contracts for 2025 have officially been announced, drawing attention from fans and cricket experts across the country. These contracts play a crucial role in defining the status and rewards for India’s top-performing cricketers.
This year’s list features some notable changes, including surprise inclusions, exclusions, and shifts in contract grades. Performances across formats and fitness standards have heavily influenced the decisions made by the selection committee.
This article will guide you through the complete list of BCCI Central Contracts 2025—for both Men’s and Women’s teams—along with insights on why certain players were promoted, retained, or left out.
BCCI Central Contracts – Overview
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Central Contract system is an annual retainership model that acknowledges and rewards the country’s top-performing cricketers for their commitment and contributions to the national team.
These contracts are designed to ensure financial security and encourage continued excellence on the field. Players are categorized into four grades — A+, A, B, and C — with each tier offering different levels of remuneration.
Selections are made based on factors such as consistency, performance across formats, fitness standards, and overall impact, making the system both performance-driven and merit-based.
BCCI Central Contracts – Grades & Eligibility Criteria
The BCCI Central Contracts system divides players into four distinct grades based on their performance, role in the team, and format participation.
Each grade carries its own financial compensation and level of expectation:
- Grade A+ – Reserved for players who are consistent all-format performers and play a vital role across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
- Grade A – For key players who are regulars in one or more formats and consistently contribute to the team.
- Grade B – Includes experienced cricketers who may be transitioning between formats or play a supporting role in the squad.
- Grade C – Comprises emerging talents or those who have recently made it into the national setup.
To be considered for a BCCI central contract, players must meet the minimum match requirement in the previous season:
- 3 Test Matches
- 8 One-Day Internationals (ODIs)
- 10 T20 Internationals (T20Is)
Additionally, adherence to BCCI guidelines—including participation in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy—is essential. Players who skip domestic commitments without valid reasons may risk omission from the list.
However, consistent performances in domestic cricket can still pave the way for a return to the central contracts, showing the system’s emphasis on both form and commitment.
Central Contracts – Salary Structure & Match Fees
The BCCI Central Contract system offers players structured annual retainerships, ensuring financial stability based on their contribution to the national team. These earnings are separate from IPL salaries and are designed to reward performance in international cricket.
While the figures may vary slightly each year, the approximate annual salaries are as follows:
- Grade A+ – ₹7 crore
- Grade A – ₹5 crore
- Grade B – ₹3 crore
- Grade C – ₹1 crore
(Source: The Indian Express)
In addition to these retainers, players also earn match fees per game across formats. This dual structure ensures that cricketers are fairly compensated for both consistency and participation in India’s cricketing calendar.
Latest BCCI Central Contract List
The latest BCCI Central Contract list features some notable changes, including new additions, omissions, promotions to higher grades, and demotions to lower categories.
Here are the complete details of the updated BCCI Central Contract list of players:
| Grade A+ | Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja |
| Grade A | Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant |
| Grade B | Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer |
| Grade C | Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, 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 Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana |
Notable Additions And Omissions From Last Year’s BCCI Central Contracts
The 2025 BCCI Central Contract list has brought several significant changes, reflecting recent performances and shifts in player availability.
Among the most notable additions is Varun Chakaravarthy, who earned his place after a standout performance in the Champions Trophy. Shreyas Iyer makes a strong comeback into the contract list, thanks to his impactful performances during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which reaffirmed his value across formats. Ishan Kishan, too, returns to the fold, signaling renewed faith in his potential.
Other fresh inclusions include Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Harshit Rana, and Akash Deep—all rewarded for their impressive domestic and international performances.
On the flip side, the list also sees some key exclusions. R. Ashwin exits following his retirement from international cricket. Players like Shardul Thakur, Jitesh Sharma, KS Bharat, Avesh Khan, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, Vidwath Kaverappa, and Vijaykumar Vyshak have been omitted due to form, fitness, or limited international appearances over the past season.
BCCI Central Contract List – Women
The BCCI has revealed the central contracts for the Senior Women’s Team for the 2024-25 season, extending recognition to 16 players across three categories. The tiered grading system ensures financial stability while motivating sustained excellence.
These selections underline the board’s strategic approach to building a formidable core that can compete at the highest echelons of international cricket.
Grade A (3 Players)
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Smriti Mandhana
- Deepti Sharma
Grade B (4 Players)
- Renuka Thakur
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Richa Ghosh
- Shafali Verma
Grade C (9 Players)
- Yastika Bhatia
- Radha Yadav
- Shreyanka Patil
- Titas Sadhu
- Arundathi Reddy
- Amanjot Kaur
- Uma Chetry
- Sneh Rana
- Pooja Vastrakar
BCCI’s Pension Scheme For Retired Players (Men & Women)
In a commendable move to support former cricketers, the BCCI revised its pension scheme in 2022, offering increased monthly pensions to both male and female retired players.
For men, former first-class cricketers now receive ₹30,000 per month, while retired Test players draw ₹60,000. Those who previously earned ₹50,000 now benefit from a ₹70,000 monthly pension. Women cricketers have also seen significant recognition, with international players receiving ₹52,500 per month.
First-class women cricketers who retired before 2003 are granted ₹45,000, while Test players who retired before December 31, 1993, and played over 25 matches now earn ₹70,000.
Additionally, women who played 50–74 matches up to the 2003–04 season receive ₹45,000, and those with 75+ matches are awarded ₹52,500 monthly. The initiative, appreciated by legends like Kapil Dev, reflects BCCI’s commitment to honouring the contributions of India’s cricketing stalwarts.
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Conclusion: BCCI Central Contracts 2025: A Clear Call On Performance and Priorities!
The BCCI Central Contracts 2025 reflect a clear commitment to rewarding top performers while fostering competition among emerging talents. With strategic changes in grades and player inclusions, the list offers both recognition and opportunities for growth.
Notable names such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja from the Men’s team and Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma from the Women’s team stand as testament to the BCCI’s focus on maintaining a high standard of excellence.
The emphasis on performance consistency, fitness, and adaptability across formats highlights the board’s long-term vision of maintaining a strong, competitive team for all formats of the game.
This ensures that India’s cricketing future is in capable hands, with players like KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Shreyas Iyer playing pivotal roles.
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