Cricket fans awoke to seismic news from the BCCI on Monday: the 2025-26 annual contracts for senior Indian teams have been finalized, effective October 2025 to September 2026. The standout story? Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s descent from Grade A to B, heralding a new chapter dominated by rising stars.
Shubman Gill’s promotion to Grade A with Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja symbolizes trust in the next generation. Bumrah, the lone fast-bowling flagbearer at the top, proves his irreplaceability. Jadeja’s all-round mastery ensures his spot.
A robust Grade B lineup includes Washington Sundar, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shreyas Iyer—veterans fueling the transition. Grade C overflows with promise: 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.
These inclusions reward IPL heroics and Test grit, fostering a competitive ecosystem.
Men’s Contracts Detailed:
• Grade A: Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja
• Grade B: Washington Sundar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer
• Grade C: 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
For women, Grade A stalwarts Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma lead the charge. Grade B features Renuka Thakur, Shefali Verma, Richa Ghosh, Sneh Rana. An expansive Grade C spotlights newcomers Uma Chetry, Kranti Gaud, Kashvee Gautam, with support from Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Arundhati Reddy, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Harleen Deol, G Kamalini, Vaishnavi Sharma, Tejal Hasabnis.
Women’s Full Breakdown:
• Grade A: Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma
• Grade B: Renuka Thakur, Shefali Verma, Richa Ghosh, Sneh Rana
• Grade C: Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Kranti Gaud, Uma Chetry, Arundhati Reddy, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, G Kamalini, Vaishnavi Sharma, Tejal Hasabnis
As contracts take effect, expect intensified battles for spots, propelling India towards global dominance.