New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced its central contracts for the 2025 to 2026 season, and the list carried some notable omissions that have sparked widespread discussion. Several established players, including Mohammed Shami and Ishan Kishan, were left out as the board reduced the total number of contracted men’s cricketers from 34 to 30.
Along with Shami and Kishan, Sarfaraz Khan, Rajat Patidar and Mukesh Kumar also failed to secure places despite being part of the previous contract cycle. The BCCI has reorganised the structure into three categories, Group A, B and C, while discontinuing the earlier A plus grade. A total of 30 male and 21 female cricketers have been awarded annual retainers under the new framework.
The revised list reflects a clear shift in selection philosophy, with greater weight being given to recent appearances for India rather than past reputation. Players who have remained outside the national team for extended periods found themselves at a disadvantage, even if they continued to perform in domestic competitions.
Ishan Kishan, who held a Grade C contract last season, did not feature in any international matches during the assessment window. Although he has impressed in domestic tournaments and made a strong return in T20 cricket, the absence of national appearances proved costly.
Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion followed limited opportunities at the highest level and modest returns in the chances he received, particularly during the Test series against New Zealand. Many observers believe his outstanding domestic record deserved greater consideration.
The most striking omission was that of Mohammed Shami, previously in Grade A. The experienced fast bowler has not played for India since the Champions Trophy final in 2025, and his prolonged break from international cricket appears to have weighed heavily against him.
Rajat Patidar and Mukesh Kumar also missed out after failing to secure regular roles in the national side. Patidar struggled to make an impact in Test cricket, while Mukesh slipped down the pace bowling order with selectors favouring younger options such as Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
The revamped contract list signals a firm message from the board that only consistent involvement with the Indian team will guarantee central retainership, marking a decisive move toward performance based recognition.
