The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the annual player contracts for Team India (Senior Men) for the 2023-24 season (October 1st, 2023, to September 30th, 2024). Notably, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and batter Shreyas Iyer are absent from the list. Iyer held a Grade B BCCI contract, while Kishan had a Grade C contract in the last year’s retainership list.
The contracts are categorized into four grades, namely A+, A, B, and C, reflecting the players’ performances and contributions to the team.
Here’s the breakdown of the annual retainership amounts for each grade:
- Grade A+: Players in this category will receive INR 7 Crores annually.
- Grade A: Athletes included in Grade A contracts will be entitled to INR 5 Crores per annum.
- Grade B: Players in Grade B contracts are set to receive INR 3 Crores annually.
- Grade C: Athletes under Grade C contracts will receive INR 1 Crore per annum.
These contracts serve to recognize and reward the efforts and achievements of the players representing Team India at the international level. The varying grades reflect the hierarchy within the team based on performance metrics and other factors considered by the BCCI selection committee.
The contracts not only provide financial security to the players but also serve as a testament to their commitment and dedication to the sport. They serve as an incentive for players to strive for excellence and maintain consistent performance on the field.
Here’s the breakdown of the contracts:
Grade A+ (4 Athletes):
– Rohit Sharma
– Virat Kohli
– Jasprit Bumrah
– Ravindra Jadeja
Grade A (6 Athletes):
– R Ashwin
– Mohd. Shami
– Mohd. Siraj
– KL Rahul
– Shubman Gill
– Hardik Pandya
Grade B (5 Athletes):
– Surya Kumar Yadav
– Rishabh Pant
– Kuldeep Yadav
– Axar Patel
– Yashasvi Jaiswal
Grade C (15 Athletes):
– 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
– Rajat Patidar
The BCCI also mentioned that athletes meeting the criteria of playing a minimum of 3 Tests or 8 ODIs or 10 T20Is within the specified period would automatically be included in Grade C on a pro-rata basis.
BCCI Clarifies Iyer and Kishan’s Exclusion:
The BCCI clarified the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from the annual contracts, citing the athletes’ prioritization of domestic cricket over national team commitments. Kishan has been on an extended break since returning from the India tour of South Africa, citing personal reasons, and has not participated in Ranji Trophy matches despite being advised to do so by the Indian Board. Similarly, Shreyas Iyer missed Mumbai’s final Ranji Trophy league match.
Also, do read: Latest: Hanuma Vihari’s Decision: A Stand Against Humiliation in Andhra Cricket
