The BCCI is set to release the much-awaited central contracts for Indian cricketers in the coming days. While most names will remain unchanged, a few exciting new faces are expected to make the cut, highlighting a ‘Rising Stars Rewarded’ approach. Among them is Abhishek Sharma, one of the brightest talents in the current IPL season, alongside Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakaravarthy. The contracts are also likely to confirm the continuation of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja in the topmost A+ category.
Rising Stars Rewarded: Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Reddy Poised for Central Contracts
Abhishek Sharma, the 24-year-old left-handed batter from Punjab and SRH, is set to be one of the top new inclusions. As part of the “Rising Stars Rewarded” narrative, his 12 T20I appearances in the current contract cycle (October to September) comfortably meet the BCCI’s standard policy to be eligible for Grade C, which offers an annual retainership of ₹1 crore. His recent form in both international matches and IPL 2025 has impressed selectors and fans alike.
Joining him could be Nitish Reddy, the 21-year-old Andhra all-rounder who has played five Tests and four T20Is. Since he featured in all five Tests during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Reddy also meets the minimum requirement for inclusion under the BCCI guidelines. His all-round performance and consistency have made him a strong contender for a central contract, highlighting the “Rising Stars Rewarded” theme embraced by the board.
Another promising name is Harshit Rana. While he hasn’t qualified through any single format — having played only two Tests, five ODIs, and one T20I — his combined appearances across formats may earn him a place in the retainership list. In line with the Rising Stars Rewarded approach, the BCCI has been known to reward potential and performance, even if the standard criteria are not strictly met.
Varun Chakaravarthy, with 18 T20Is and four ODIs under his belt, also remains in contention. His bowling prowess in the shortest format has kept him in the national setup, and a central contract seems to be on the cards.
Shreyas Iyer, who had a fantastic Champions Trophy campaign, is another likely inclusion or retention in the list. Having regained form, his importance in the middle order is once again being recognized by the selectors.
While a few additions like these fresh faces are expected — a clear sign of Rising Stars Rewarded — the main core will largely remain intact. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja will retain their A+ category status, which ensures the highest annual retainership of ₹7 crore. The top bracket is generally reserved for players who are automatic selections across all formats.
The central contracts list is expected to be officially announced within the next couple of days. It may also be accompanied by updates to the Indian team’s support staff setup. These decisions were finalized recently in internal BCCI meetings, and are aimed at ensuring a smooth transition for the next generation of Indian cricket stars.
With these changes, the BCCI seems keen on rewarding talent and performance while building depth across formats. The inclusion of young players like Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Reddy could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Indian cricket.
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