BCCI Contracts Shake-Up: Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan Out for 2023-24 Season
In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the list of players receiving central contracts for the 2023-24 season. The A+ category, the highest tier, includes stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. The total contracted players have increased from 26 to 30 this year, accommodating the inclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan.
However, Kishan and Iyer find themselves in a contentious situation as they forfeited their contracts on Wednesday due to their decisions to skip Ranji Trophy matches. The BCCI also revealed the annual retainership for the 2023–24 season. The BCCI, through its secretary Jay Shah, issued a stern warning last week to centrally contracted and India A cricketers against skipping the ongoing Ranji Trophy, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar having a “free hand” in addressing such situations.
Also read:RCB Tops WPL 2024: Smriti Mandhana’s Blitz Secures 8-Wicket Win Against Gujarat Giants
The Grade A+ contracts come with prestige and are well-deserved recognition for Sharma, Kohli, Bumrah, and Jadeja. Meanwhile, the elevated status of Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul to Grade A reflects their exceptional contributions and efforts on the field.
Also read: Did Rohit Sharma Take a Shot at Ishan Kishan Indirectly?” Jinko Bhookh Nahi Hai.
Despite a significant part of the season missed due to a car accident recovery, Rishabh Pant has seen an upgrade to Grade B, a testament to his impact when fit. The contractual period for the Senior Men’s Team India spans from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.
BCCI has set clear criteria for players entering Grade C, emphasizing a minimum number of Tests, ODIs, or T20Is to qualify. This pro-rata basis inclusion is intended to ensure a fair representation of players based on their match contributions.
Fast-bowling contracts have been recommended for players like Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kaverappa, reflecting a strategic focus on nurturing and recognizing bowling talent.
The introduction of new names like Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma in Grade C adds depth to the player pool. Noteworthy returns to the Indian T20I squad, such as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube, underline the dynamic nature of the cricketing landscape.
One intriguing aspect is the undisclosed players’ salaries across the four categories. However, it is customary for A+, A, B, and C categories to receive Rs 7 crore, Rs 5 crore, Rs 3 crore, and Rs 1 crore, respectively, in addition to match fees.
Shreyas Iyer, despite meeting the minimal game requirements, has lost his Grade B contract. Yet, he has made himself available for Mumbai, showcasing a commitment to domestic cricket. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan’s Grade C contract comes under the spotlight after a personal break in South Africa, and his participation in the DY Patil T20 Cup raised eyebrows.
In its statement, the BCCI underscores the importance of athletes prioritizing domestic cricket during breaks from national duty, leading to Iyer and Kishan not being considered for annual contracts in this round of recommendations.
Grade A features established names like Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, R Ashwin, and the emerging Yashasvi Jaiswal. Grade B includes Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and Kuldeep Yadav, adding depth to the talent pool.
Grade C showcases T20 specialists like Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and others, contributing to India’s depth in the shortest format. The new faces in Grade A, namely Siraj, Rahul, and Gill, reflect their stellar performances leading to promotions from Grade B.
Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant, due to an extended absence following a terrifying vehicle accident in December 2022, have dropped from Grade A to Grade B. The churn of players in Grade B and C, including Jaiswal, Rinku, Tilak, Gaikwad, Dube, Bishnoi, Jitesh, Mukesh, Prasidh, Avesh, and Patidar, indicates a refreshing infusion of talent.
Conspicuous by their absence are established players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Umesh Yadav, Shikhar Dhawan, Deepak Hooda, and Yuzvendra Chahal, who have been completely removed from the central contracts, signaling a transition in the team composition.
While ESPNcricinfo speculates an increase in contract values from the previous year, with A+ at INR 7 crore, A at INR 5 crore, B at INR 3 crore, and C at INR 1 crore, the BCCI has not provided specific numbers for the four contract categories.
Continuing the tradition, players participating in a minimum number of Tests, ODIs, or T20Is within the specified timeframe automatically qualify for Grade C on a pro-rata basis. This system, as seen in previous years, ensures fairness in contract inclusions.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has recommended fast-bowling contracts for five promising players: Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and V Kaverappa. This strategic move aligns with the growing importance of nurturing and recognizing fast-bowling talent in Indian cricket.
In essence, the announcement of BCCI’s central contracts for the 2023-24 season not only highlights the recognition of top performers but also introduces and promotes emerging talents, setting the stage for a dynamic and competitive period in Indian cricket.
LIST OF ANNUAL CONTRACTS: BCCI central contracts breakdown for the 2023-24 season:
- Grade A+: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja
- Grade A: R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya
- Grade B: Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Grade C: 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, Rajat Patidar
