BCCI Central Contracts 2025: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released its Central Contracts list for the 2024-25 season, and while several players received promotions and fresh contracts, the spotlight is also on those who didn’t make the cut. The omission of a few seasoned names has stirred conversations in the cricketing fraternity. Here’s a detailed look at the excluded players from BCCI Central Contracts 2025 and the reasons behind their removal.
BCCI Central Contracts 2025 : List of Dropped Players
Table of Contents
List of Players Dropped from BCCI Central Contracts 2025
| Player Name | Previous Grade | Reason for Exclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Shardul Thakur | Grade B | Injuries, lack of recent appearances |
| R. Ashwin | Grade A | Retired from international cricket (Dec 2024) |
| Avesh Khan | Grade C | Inconsistent performances |
| Jitesh Sharma | Grade C | Out of T20I plans, no impact since Jan 2024 |
| KS Bharat | Grade C | Replaced as backup wicketkeeper |
Why These Players Were Dropped
🏏 1. Shardul Thakur
Once a reliable all-rounder for Team India, Shardul has been battling form and fitness issues. With injuries ruling him out since late 2023 and no impactful performances since, the selectors have chosen to move forward without him.
🎓 2. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin’s exit is expected, as the veteran off-spinner announced his international retirement in December 2024. One of India’s all-time greats in Tests, his absence from the contracts list is a procedural update following his retirement.
🎯 3. Avesh Khan
Despite having a solid IPL season, Avesh’s inconsistency at the international level cost him his contract. He’s been part of the T20I squad but hasn’t made a lasting impact to secure his spot.
🔄 4. Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh had a brief stint in India’s white-ball squads but failed to hold onto his place. With Rishabh Pant’s return and Dhruv Jurel’s rise, Jitesh finds himself out of the reckoning and, consequently, out of the contracts list.
🧤 5. KS Bharat
Once seen as a long-term red-ball wicketkeeper, Bharat has fallen behind in the pecking order. The emergence of Dhruv Jurel as a more dynamic option has pushed Bharat out of contention.
Who Returned to the Central Contracts List?
- Shreyas Iyer (Grade B) and Ishan Kishan (Grade C) are back after being dropped last year.
- Their previous exclusion raised eyebrows, especially after opting out of domestic commitments like the Ranji Trophy.
New Faces in BCCI Contracts 2025
- Varun Chakaravarthy, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Abhishek Sharma earned their maiden BCCI contracts, marking a shift towards younger talents.
Top-Tier Cricketers Retained (Grade A+)
- Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja continue to hold the prestigious A+ Grade, receiving an annual retainer of ₹7 crore.
The BCCI’s 2024-25 Central Contracts reflect a blend of continuity and change. While legends like Ashwin bow out and others fall behind due to form or injuries, the board is clearly backing youth and performance over past reputation. As Indian cricket gears up for a crucial calendar year, the focus now shifts to how th
FAQs
Who are the players excluded from BCCI Central Contracts 2025?
Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Avesh Khan, Jitesh Sharma, and KS Bharat.
Why was Ravichandran Ashwin dropped from the contract list?
He retired from international cricket in December 2024.
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