In a pivotal moment for Indian cricket, the BCCI has rolled out its 2025-26 annual central contracts for senior men’s and women’s players. Announced on Monday, these deals, valid from October 2025 to September 2026, reflect a strategic pivot towards youth while honoring proven performers.
The headlines scream change: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, architects of India’s recent successes, find themselves in Grade B, dethroned from the top echelon. Enter Shubman Gill, who catapults to Grade A alongside pace maestro Jasprit Bumrah and the evergreen Ravindra Jadeja. This trio embodies the new guard for men’s cricket.
Bumrah’s solo representation among pacers in Grade A reaffirms his status as India’s bowling spearhead, thriving in every scenario from seaming tracks to subcontinental spin fests. Jadeja’s all-round prowess continues to make him indispensable.
Grade B serves as a bridge, housing stalwarts like Washington Sundar, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shreyas Iyer. The expansive Grade C is a talent hotbed, featuring Axar Patel, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Dhruv Jurel, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Sai Sudharsan, Ravi Bishnoi, and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Rising stars like Dhruv Jurel and Sai Sudharsan have been fast-tracked, rewarding their domestic and international exploits. This structure ensures depth and competition across the board.
Men’s Full List:
– Grade A: Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja
– Grade B: Washington Sundar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer
– Grade C: Axar Patel, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Dhruv Jurel, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Sai Sudharsan, Ravi Bishnoi, Ruturaj Gaikwad
The women’s contracts mirror this progressive ethos. Grade A leaders Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma set the tone. Grade B includes Renuka Thakur, Shefali Verma, Richa Ghosh, and Sneh Rana, while Grade C welcomes a wave of newcomers like Kranti Gaud, Uma Chetry, Kashvee Gautam, alongside Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Arundhati Reddy, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Harleen Deol, G Kamalini, Vaishnavi Sharma, and Tejal Hasabnis.
Women’s List:
– Grade A: Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma
– Grade B: Renuka Thakur, Shefali Verma, Richa Ghosh, Sneh Rana
– Grade C: Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Kranti Gaud, Uma Chetry, Arundhati Reddy, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, G Kamalini, Vaishnavi Sharma, Tejal Hasabnis
As India eyes major tournaments, these contracts herald an era of renewal, blending wisdom with ambition.