The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released its annual player retainer list for the 2025-26 season. In a move that signals a significant transition in Indian cricket, legendary batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been placed in the ‘Grade B’ category. This announcement, made on Monday, February 9, comes with several structural changes to the contracting system, most notably the removal of the elite ‘A+’ category.
New Hierarchy: Grade A Takes the Top Spot
For the upcoming season, the BCCI has streamlined the contract categories. The previously highest bracket, ‘A+’, has been discontinued. This leaves ‘Grade A’ as the premier tier for Indian cricketers.
Only three players have secured a place in this top bracket. Young batting sensation Shubman Gill, premier all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah are the sole occupants of Grade A. Their consistent performances across formats have cemented their positions as the current pillars of the national team.
Veterans Move to Grade B
The most talked-about aspect of the new list is the positioning of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both stalwarts, who have dominated world cricket for over a decade, now find themselves in Grade B. This shift likely reflects the changing landscape of the team and their specific roles moving forward.
Joining them in Grade B is a mix of experienced campaigners and rising stars. The grade features a total of 11 players. Wicketkeeper-batters KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya, have been moved into this bracket. Washington Sundar has seen a promotion, moving up a grade to join this group.
Other key players retaining their spots in Grade B include Shreyas Iyer, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, and spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj also features in this list.
Grade C: The Emerging Core
The Grade C category comprises 15 players, forming a blend of exciting young talent and T20 specialists. A significant change here involves all-rounder Axar Patel, who has been moved down from Grade B to Grade C.
The list sees familiar faces retaining their contracts. Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube continue to be part of the setup. The pace department in this grade includes Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana. Wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel also holds his place.
Spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, along with all-rounders Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy, round out the group. Ruturaj Gaikwad also retains his contract in this category.
In and Out: The New Addition and The Exits
The contract list also highlights the competitive nature of selection. Sai Sudharsan is the solitary new face to be awarded a central contract this season. He has been included in Grade C, rewarding his domestic and recent international promise.
However, several notable names have missed out. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who was previously in Grade A, does not feature in the new contract list. His exclusion marks a significant development, likely due to fitness or long-term planning considerations.
Other players who have been left out of the central contracts include Ishan Kishan, Sarfaraz Khan, Rajat Patidar, and Mukesh Kumar. These players were part of the 2024-25 list but have not been retained for the current cycle.
Complete Breakdown of Contracts
To summarize the distribution for the 2025-26 season, here is how the players are categorized:
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Grade A (3 Players): Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja.
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Grade B (11 Players): Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer.
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Grade C (15 Players): Axar Patel, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Dhruv Jurel, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Sai Sudharsan, Ravi Bishnoi, Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 central contract list is a clear indicator of the BCCI’s vision for the future. By elevating players like Gill to the top tier and adjusting the grades of veterans like Kohli and Rohit, the board is balancing experience with the energy of the next generation. The exclusion of established names like Shami and Kishan sends a strong message that performance and fitness remain the primary criteria for retention. As the new season approaches, these contracted players will form the core group tasked with taking Indian cricket forward in all formats.
