The BCCI has unveiled the 2024–25 central contracts for the Indian men’s team, with a few notable shifts. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja remain in the elite A+ bracket, even after Rohit and Kohli’s T20I retirements. Rishabh Pant has been promoted to Grade A, while Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan return in Grades B and C. Ravichandran Ashwin drops off the list post-retirement, and youngsters like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel, and Abhishek Sharma earn maiden contracts in Grade C.
Rohit Sharma to lead in England
Rohit Sharma has retired from T20Is and in the last Test that India played in Sydney, he was either dropped or rested due to a rough patch. Post the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, there was widespread speculation about Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, or Rishabh Pant taking over the reins of the Test side. The new WTC cycle begins in England with a five-match Test series. While there was no official word from the BCCI on the captaincy, the Champions Trophy win may have bolstered Rohit’s case, and his presence in the A+ category now seems to confirm that he will lead India in England.
Seniority and past performances matter
Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja continuing in the A+ bracket despite retirement from T20Is reflects BCCI’s recognition of years of consistent contribution. It shows that seniority and legacy still play a role in these decisions.
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Greater clarity needed on criteria
The process of grading players into central contracts still lacks transparency. Arshdeep Singh plays two formats and Axar Patel features in all three, yet neither is in the Grade they seemingly deserve—B or A respectively. It’s unclear what specific performance markers are being considered. This lack of clarity needs to be addressed by the board.
Shardul Thakur: a temporary fix?
Buzz suggests Shardul Thakur may be recalled for the England tour. Yet, his omission from the contract list signals he isn’t part of India’s long-term plans. His selection, if it happens, would be due to favourable English conditions and the fact that someone like Nitish Kumar Reddy may not yet be ready as the fourth pacer. Still, Shardul’s absence from the retainership list speaks volumes about the team management’s future vision.
The 2024–25 BCCI central contracts appear to reward loyalty, experience, and proven performance over immediate impact. While players like Pant and Iyer have been justly rewarded, the inconsistencies in grading some others raise valid questions. As India steps into a new WTC cycle and eyes key series in England, the decisions made now will shape not just this season but the direction of the team in years to come. The BCCI may need to shed more light on its evaluation parameters to ensure the selection process remains both fair and future-focused.
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