BCCI contracts list 2023-24: Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan omitted; here's full list
Cricketers who meet the criteria of playing a minimum of 3 Tests or 8 ODIs or 10 T20Is within the specified period will automatically be included in Grade C on a pro-rata basis.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday (February 28) announced the annual player contracts for the Indian men's team for the 2023-24 season (October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024). Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who skipped the Ranji Trophy, have been omitted from the 30-man list.
In the top bracket (Grade A+), there are four players - captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. There is no new addition in A+. The other categories are Grade A, Grade B, Grade C (increased from 11 to 15 players), and also fast bowling contracts, for the first time.
What BCCI said on Iyer, Kishan
On excluding Iyer and Kishan, the BCCI said, "Please note that Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were not considered for the annual contracts in this round of recommendations."
Iyer was earlier in Grade B, and Kishan in Grade C. The duo was under the BCCI's radar for skipping the Ranji Trophy this season.
"Additionally, cricketers who meet the criteria of playing a minimum of 3 Tests or 8 ODIs or 10 T20Is within the specified period will automatically be included in Grade C on a pro-rata basis. For instance, Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan, having played 2 Test matches so far, will be inducted into Grade C if they participate in the Dharamsala Test Match, i.e., the 5th Test of the ongoing series against England," the BCCI said.
The selection committee has also recommended fast bowling contracts for Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal and Vidwath Kaverappa.
The BCCI has recommended that all cricketers should give precedence to participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team.
Promotions for trio
The trio of KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj have been promoted to Grade A from Grade B.
Rishabh Pant, who is out of action after a horrific car accident, and all-rounder Axar Patel were demoted from Grade A to Grade B.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is having a fine run with the bat with the Indian Test team, has earned a Grade B contract.
Pujara axed
Cheteshwar Pujara, who is out of favour for Test selection, too has lost his contract. Last year, he was in Grade B.
Fast bowler Umesh Yadav, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, and opener Shikhar Dhawan were among the other cricketers who have failed to get new contracts.
As per last year's contract, BCCI pays Rs 7 crore, Rs 5 crore, Rs 3 crore, and Rs 1 crore for Grade A+, A, B, and C respectively. For the latest contracts, the Indian cricket board has not mentioned the annual fees.
BCCI central contracts for 30 Indian cricketers for the 2023-24 season (October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024)
Grade A+ (4)
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
Grade A (6)
R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya.
Grade B (5)
Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Grade C (15)
Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, KS Bharat, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan and Rajat Patidar.
Fast bowling contracts (5)
Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal and Vidwath Kaverappa.