Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer and Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Ishan Kishan are set to regain their BCCI central contracts, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India prepares to release the full list soon, according to the Hindustan Times. Recently, the BCCI announced central contracts for senior women cricketers, awarding contracts to 16 players, including Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, who were retained in Grade A. The other players received contracts based on their form and availability.
Iyer and Kishan were removed from their central contracts in 2024 after they refused to comply with the BCCI's instructions to participate in domestic competitions as preparation for an away Test series. Their failure to participate in these competitions resulted in their removal from the central contract and subsequent exclusion from major team selections.
Also Read: BCCI central contract for the India Women's Senior team
Shreyas Iyer made a successful comeback to the Indian team by excelling in domestic competitions, which helped him regain his form. This performance earned him a spot in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad, where he became the highest run-scorer for India. Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan is still seeking to be selected for the Indian team but is working hard for a comeback. Kishan's recent form in the IPL 2025 has made him a strong candidate for a central contract.
According to the Hindustan Times, Shreyas Iyer is expected to be retained in Grade B of the contract, earning 3 crore annually from the BCCI, while Ishan Kishan will fall under Grade C.
In addition, current India ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma and former Indian captain Virat Kohli are set to be retained in Grade A+ contracts, despite not being all-format players, as both have retired from Test cricket. Reports indicate that each will earn approximately 7 crore annually under this contract.
