Mumbai: Since the introduction of the A+ category in the annual contracts for male cricketers in India, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have held prominent positions.

According to information from HT, these three prominent players are anticipated to retain their spots in the 2024-25 contract list, despite Virat and Rohit’s retirement from T20I following India's victory in the 2024 World Cup. This is due to a unique aspect of the BCCI's operations, where contracts are announced after a retrospective evaluation.

In the last contract announcement by the BCCI for 2023-24, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was also elevated to the highest category. He is expected to maintain his position, even though he, like Virat and Rohit, has concluded his T20I career.

As the national selectors prepare the new contract list in the upcoming days, they will assess performances from October 2023 to September 2024. This timeframe witnessed some of India's most remarkable achievements in white-ball cricket, including a runner-up finish in the 2023 ODI World Cup and a championship victory in the 2024 T20 tournament. Top performers from these events, as well as from the home Test series against England, will be acknowledged.

“A BCCI official stated, ‘This will form the foundation for the next round of contracts. There is a plan to expedite the next review by six months, as so much has occurred by the time the review takes place, which influences people's evaluations.’”

Following the T20 World Cup victory, India faced a rare home defeat in a three-match Test series against New Zealand, lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, and fell short in the World Test Championship final. However, the recent triumph in the Champions Trophy has provided a welcome boost.

As the contracts for the 2025-26 season are set to be finalized this coming October, the players' performances will be a significant factor in these decisions. This period may witness considerable changes in the contract roster. To secure a position in the ₹7 crore A+ category, consistent performance across all formats is essential. In addition to the three prominent T20I retirements, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket in all formats last December.

Impact of Transition

With Indian cricket in a state of transition, the next generation of all-format players is still emerging. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are viewed as the most promising talents, although they still need to enhance their performances across various formats. Gill has yet to make a significant impact outside of ODIs, while Pant has excelled primarily in Test matches.

Shreyas Iyer will likely regain his India contract following his impressive performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He was classified in the B category for the 2022-23 season and would have retained his position had it not been for a disagreement with the BCCI medical team regarding his injury status and availability for domestic matches.

“He participated in the entire domestic season, which was the expected requirement. His performance during these matches also helped him regain form ahead of the Champions Trophy,” stated a board official.

In a similar vein, Ishan Kishan, who was a regular member of the squad across formats but was dropped for missing domestic matches, may also find his way back into the team.

Mohammed Shami may be excluded from the contract list due to his absence from all matches while recovering from injuries. However, exceptions may be granted for players who are in the process of rehabilitation. Last year, Hardik Pandya was the sole player not participating in Test cricket to be included in category A. His performances during the T20 World Cup victory and his distinctive skill set could contribute to his continued prominence.

Players who have participated in at least three Tests, eight ODIs, or ten T20Is during the evaluation period are automatically placed in the ₹1 crore Grade C list. Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan are expected to qualify. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made a strong start to his Test career and has shown promise in T20Is while vying for an ODI spot, may be elevated from his current Grade B status.

Read Also: Ashutosh Sharma Reveals Selectors’ Doubts: 'They Said I Don’t Know How to Bat'

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