In a significant shake-up, the Board of Control for Cricket in India or BCCI has unveiled its Centrally-contracted players for the year 2023-24, with notable exclusions including Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shikhar Dhawan, and Yuzvendra Chahal. The move aims to prioritise domestic cricket and performance metrics in determining player contracts.
Both Iyer and Kishan found themselves out of contention for contracts after failing to adhere to the BCCI’s directive to participate in domestic cricket, particularly the Ranji Trophy. Despite being sidelined from national duty, Kishan opted out of Jharkhand’s Ranji Trophy campaign, focusing instead on preparations for the upcoming IPL season. Similarly, Iyer’s absence from Mumbai’s Ranji quarterfinal against Baroda raised eyebrows, leading to his exclusion from the contract list.
The BCCI reiterated its stance on the importance of domestic cricket, asserting all athletes should prioritise participation in domestic tournaments during periods of non-representation at the national level.
While skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli retained their positions in the top bracket (A+ category) alongside pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, several other players saw changes in their contract status.
Senior off-spinner R Ashwin leads the A category, which also includes Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya. Notable shifts include Siraj’s promotion from the B category, while Axar Patel moves down from A to B.
In the B category, newcomers Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal join Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel. Pant’s relegation to the B category reflects his absence from cricket since a serious accident in December 2022.
A total of 15 players were awarded Grade C contracts, with eligibility based on a minimum number of appearances in international matches within a specified period. Among them are rising talents like Ravi Bishnoi and Shivam Dube, alongside experienced campaigners like Shardul Thakur and Sanju Samson.
Additionally, the BCCI introduced fast bowling contracts for Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kaverappa, recognising their potential and contributions to Bharat’s pace bowling reserves.
Notably absent from the contract list are veteran campaigners like Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan, signaling a shift in focus towards younger talent and performance-driven selections.
While the remuneration details for the players across the four categories were not disclosed, the contracts underscore the BCCI’s commitment to rewarding excellence and fostering a competitive environment within Indian cricket.
