In the latest BCCI Annual Contracts for the senior men’s team spanning from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Mohammed Siraj have earned promotions to Grade A, marking a significant achievement in their careers.
This elevation comes on the back of stellar performances by the trio during the Men’s ODI World Cup and Test matches, where they showcased exemplary skills and contributed significantly to the team's success. Joining the ranks of Grade A, they now stand alongside stalwarts like Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, and Hardik Pandya, reflecting their growing stature in Indian cricket.
Interestingly, the 30-member list of players awarded the BCCI Central Contracts has seen an expansion from 26 last year. However, notable exclusions from this list are Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, who have not been included in this year's contracts despite their previous presence.
Grade A maintains its elite status with the inclusion of captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah, remaining unchanged from the previous year. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal secures a Grade B contract along with Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav (who has been promoted from Grade C), Axar Patel, and Rishabh Pant (both moved down from Grade A).
Explaining the omissions, the BCCI clarified in a statement that Shreyas and Ishan were not considered for the annual contracts this time. Moreover, it emphasized the importance of prioritizing participation in domestic cricket during periods when players are not representing the national team.
Additionally, the Selection Committee has proposed fast-bowling contracts for Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kaverappa, recognizing their potential and contributions to the sport.
Furthermore, the BCCI outlined the criteria for inclusion in Grade C, stating that players who meet the minimum requirements of playing three Tests, eight ODIs, or ten T20Is within the specified period will automatically qualify. For instance, Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan, having played two Test matches, could potentially be inducted into Grade C if they participate in the upcoming Test match in Dharamsala, marking a significant opportunity for them to enhance their contracts and careers.
Grade A - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
Grade A - R Ashwin, Mohd Shami, Mohd Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya.
Grade B - Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Grade C - Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaekwad, 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.
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