Shreyas Iyer is set to regain his central contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the 2024–25 season, marking a significant comeback for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain. His name is expected to be included in the top category of contracts, with the official announcement likely to be made “sometime this week,” according to The Times of India.
A meeting held in Guwahati on March 29 between BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar discussed the contract list. While Iyer’s return seems confirmed, Ishan Kishan’s inclusion remains uncertain due to eligibility criteria. A source cited in the report stated, “Shreyas is set to regain his contract, and it will be in a top category. However, discussions are still ongoing on whether in Ishan’s case.”
Iyer’s impressive performances over the past year strengthened his case for reinstatement. He played a crucial role in Mumbai’s domestic success, led Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL 2024 title, and finished as India’s highest run-scorer in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, Kishan has not played international cricket since late 2023, making his return to the contract list more challenging. BCCI’s policy requires players to feature in at least three Tests, eight ODIs, or ten T20Is within a calendar year to be eligible for a contract.
Last season, both Iyer and Kishan were left out of the BCCI’s central contract list, reportedly due to the board’s displeasure over their absence from domestic cricket when not on national duty. Iyer’s participation in Mumbai’s matches appears to have played a role in his expected reinstatement.
The BCCI central contracts are divided into four grades: A-Plus players receive Rs 7 crore, A-grade players earn Rs 5 crore, while those in Grade B and C receive Rs 3 crore and Rs 1 crore, respectively. Despite speculation regarding changes, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to retain their A-Plus contracts. There had been doubts about their inclusion in this bracket, as the A-Plus category was traditionally reserved for all-format players, and all three have retired from T20Is.
Additionally, the upcoming contract cycle is set to feature fresh entrants, with Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Nitish Kumar Reddy receiving their first-ever central contracts.
