In a groundbreaking development that has sent ripples through the cricket world, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has apparently done away with its specialized fast-bowling contracts for the 2024-25 season.

This surprising move, revealed when the new central contracts were announced on Monday, April 21, has left cricket analysts and fans questioning the board’s long-term vision for pace development in Indian cricket.

The Disappearance of Fast Bowling Contracts: What Happened?

Remember when the BCCI introduced those special “fast bowling contracts” in the previous cycle? It was an innovative approach aimed at nurturing the next generation of Indian pacers. Umran Malik, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Dayal, Vidwath Kavderappa, and Akash Deep were the promising talents handpicked for this exclusive program.

Fast forward to April 2025, and the landscape has dramatically changed. The BCCI’s latest contract announcement makes no mention of these specialized agreements. The silence speaks volumes – these contracts have been quietly scrapped without any official explanation.

Are you wondering what happened to those pacers who were previously part of this exclusive club? Let’s break it down.

Akash Deep: The Lone Survivor

Amid the disappearance of fast bowling contracts, there’s one success story that stands out. Akash Deep, who impressed selectors during the Indian Test team’s tour of Australia, has earned a well-deserved promotion to Grade C in the central contracts list.

The Bengal pacer’s journey from a specialized contract to the main roster highlights his growth as a bowler. His consistent performances have caught the eye of the selection committee, making him the sole survivor from the previous fast bowling contract group.

But what about the others? Umran Malik, once celebrated for his raw pace, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kavderappa have all been overlooked in the latest contract list. Their exclusion raises serious questions about the BCCI’s talent development strategy and the effectiveness of the now-abandoned fast bowling contract system.

Understanding the BCCI’s Contract Structure for 2024-25

The BCCI’s central contract system operates on a grade-based hierarchy, with A+ being the highest tier followed by Grades A, B, and C. For the 2024-25 cycle, the distribution reveals interesting patterns about how Indian cricket values its talent:

Grade A+ Elite Circle

The players of Indian cricket continues to occupy the A+ tier:

• Virat Kohli
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Rohit Sharma
• Jasprit Bumrah

These names represent the pillars of Indian cricket, established performers who have consistently delivered at the highest level.

Grade A: The Rising Stars and Established Names

Grade A features an interesting mix of established players and those who have cemented their place in recent times:

• Rishabh Pant
• Mohammed Shami
• Mohammed Siraj
• KL Rahul
• Shubman Gill
• Hardik Pandya

The inclusion of Rishabh Pant in Grade A deserves special mention – a testament to his remarkable comeback journey and the faith the BCCI has in his abilities going forward.

Grade B: The Backbone

The players in Grade B form the backbone of Indian cricket across formats:

• Suryakumar Yadav
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Axar Patel
• Shreyas Iyer
• Yashasvi Jaiswal

Interestingly, Axar Patel’s placement in Grade B has raised eyebrows, especially considering his contributions in recent times.

Grade C: The Expansive Talent Pool

Grade C represents the largest contingent with 18 players, including fresh faces and those who have shown promise:

• Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, 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, Akash Deep, Varun Chakravarthy
• Harshit Rana

The inclusion of players like Nitish Kumar Reddy (who scored a maiden century in Australia) and Dhruv Jurel highlights the BCCI’s recognition of emerging talent.

The Curious Case of Ishan Kishan

While fast bowlers were overlooked, one surprising inclusion has cricket fans scratching their heads. Ishan Kishan, who hasn’t represented India since 2023, has somehow secured a Grade C contract.

What makes this decision particularly puzzling is Kishan’s recent track record – he hasn’t exactly set the domestic circuit or the IPL on fire this year. This selection appears to contradict the performance-based approach the BCCI typically employs for contract allocation.

Is this a sign that the BCCI still believes in Kishan’s potential, or are there other factors at play? The contrast between dropping specialized fast bowling contracts while retaining a player without recent international appearances raises legitimate questions about consistency in selection criteria.

What This Means for India’s Fast Bowling Future

The scrapping of fast bowling contracts could signal a shift in how the BCCI approaches pace development. Is this a temporary pause, or does it reflect a complete change in strategy? The board hasn’t offered any explanation, leaving cricket experts and fans to speculate.

For young pacers dreaming of breaking into the Indian setup, the path now seems less clear. Without a specialized program focusing on fast bowling talent, will India’s pace factory continue to produce world-class bowlers at the same rate?

The success of Akash Deep’s transition from a fast bowling contract to the main roster offers some hope. It suggests that the specialized program can serve as a stepping stone to central contracts – but only for those who consistently perform at the highest level.

The Broader Implications for Indian Cricket

Looking at the bigger picture, the BCCI’s contract decisions reflect their vision for Indian cricket’s future. The balance between rewarding established stars and nurturing emerging talent is always delicate.

The expanded Grade C list, featuring 18 players, indicates the BCCI’s willingness to invest in a larger talent pool. However, the absence of a specialized program for fast bowlers might create a gap in India’s talent development pipeline.

As Indian cricket continues to evolve, these contract decisions will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the national team across formats. Whether the scrapping of fast bowling contracts proves to be a wise decision or a missed opportunity remains to be seen.

What’s Next for Indian Cricket?

With these new contracts in place, all eyes will be on how the selected players perform in upcoming tournaments. The pressure will be particularly intense on those who have received promotions or unexpected inclusions.

For the fast bowlers who missed out, this could be either a setback or motivation to work harder and prove their worth. The domestic circuit and the IPL will be crucial platforms for them to make their case for future consideration.

As for the BCCI, cricket enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if alternative pathways for pace development emerge to replace the now-defunct fast bowling contracts.

One thing is certain – in the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cricket, today’s contract decisions will shape tomorrow’s team India. The journey continues, and only time will tell if these bold moves pay dividends on the international stage.

FAQ:-