The BCCI has rolled out its central contracts for the 2024-25 cricket season, with notable developments including the reinstatement of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan. The annual list features the same elite quartet in the A+ category: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, despite earlier rumors of their potential exclusion. BCCI announces annual player retainership 2024-25 - Team India (Senior Men)#TeamIndia Details 🔽https://t.co/lMjl2Ici3P pic.twitter.com/CsJHaLSeho — BCCI (@BCCI) April 21, 2025 Iyer and Kishan Make a Comeback Both Iyer and Kishan were excluded from the previous cycle due to disciplinary concerns. However, with improved form and performances, they have made their way back. Iyer returns in Grade B, while Kishan slots into Grade C. Iyer had already reestablished his presence in the ODI setup and played a pivotal role in India’s Champions Trophy win earlier this year. Kishan, though not yet back in the national squad, has impressed with his current showing in IPL 2025. Rishabh Pant, on the other hand, has earned a promotion to Grade A, reflecting his importance in India’s plans across formats. Breakdown of the Grades and Players The central contracts are categorized into four slabs: A+, A, B, and C based on a player's consistency and role in all three formats. The A+ category, offering an annual salary of ₹7 crore, includes Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli Jasprit Bumrah Ravindra Jadeja Grade A, which comes with a ₹5 crore pay, features Mohammad Siraj Shubman Gill Hardik Pandya Mohammad Shami Rishabh Pant Grade B players receive ₹3 crore annually. This tier includes Suryakumar Yadav Kuldeep Yadav Yashasvi Jaiswal Shreyas Iyer Meanwhile, the Grade C list, paid ₹1 crore per year, is populated by both experienced names and exciting newcomers Rinku Singh Tilak Verma Ruturaj Gaikwad Shivam Dube Ravi Bishnoi Washington Sundar Mukesh Kumar Sanju Samson Arshdeep Singh Prasidh Krishna Rajat Patidar Dhruv Jurel Sarfaraz Khan Nitish Kumar Reddy Ishan Kishan Abhishek Sharma Varun Chakaravarthy Harshit Rana New Talent Joins the Ranks The BCCI has also opened the doors for emerging players by awarding maiden contracts to Harshit Rana, Abhishek Sharma, and Varun Chakaravarthy. All three find themselves in Grade C, signaling the board’s intent to invest in future stars. As the Indian team prepares for a packed international calendar, the refreshed contract list highlights a balanced approach, combining experienced stalwarts with promising prospects. ALSO READ: Who Is Ayush Mhatre? 17-Year-Old Mumbai Batter Makes IPL Debut For CSK