Shreyas Iyer Set to Regain BCCI Contract; Axar, Varun, Abhishek, and NKR Poised for First Deals

Shreyas Iyer, who has been in great form recently, is likely to get back his BCCI central contract. The Indian cricket board is expected to announce the full list of retained players for the 2024-25 season later this week.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is expected to meet India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar in Guwahati on March 29 to discuss the central contracts. Gambhir is currently on vacation in France with his family after leading India to victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Shreyas Iyer Set to Regain BCCI Contract; Uncertainty Remains Over Ishan Kishan

While Shreyas Iyer is likely to regain his BCCI central contract, things are still uncertain for Ishan Kishan. Both players were left out of the central contract list for the 2023-24 season because they skipped domestic matches despite clear instructions from the BCCI.

"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," a source told TOI.

Iyer was India's top scorer in their successful 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, scoring 243 runs in five matches at an average of 48.60, including two half-centuries. He remains a key player in India's ODI team. Meanwhile, Kishan had a dream debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025 on March 23, smashing an unbeaten 106 off just 47 balls against Rajasthan Royals.

Another big talking point has been whether India's ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma, star batsman Virat Kohli, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will keep their place in the top A+ category of central contracts, even though they have retired from T20Is. A source in the BCCI informed that "all three will be retained in the highest category, along with Jasprit Bumrah." Rohit is set to captain India in their five-Test series in England this summer.

Axar Patel is likely to be promoted, while Varun, Abhishek, and NKR are set for their first BCCI contracts

Axar Patel, the left-arm spinning allrounder, has become an important player for India over the past few years. He is now the vice-captain of India's T20 team and is expected to be promoted from Grade B to Grade A. Axar played a crucial role in helping India win two ICC titles in the last two years.

Varun Chakravarthy, the "mystery spinner," made a strong comeback to the Indian team last October. He played a key role in India's victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy, taking nine wickets in just three matches. Thanks to his impressive performance, he is now set to receive his first-ever BCCI contract.

Young allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to receive his first BCCI central contract after a strong performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He played all five Tests in the series and scored his maiden century during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Alongside him, young opener Abhishek Sharma is also likely to get his first central contract after an outstanding knock of 135 off just 54 balls against England in the fifth and final T20I at the Wankhede Stadium on February 2 this year.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the legendary off-spinner, retired from international cricket during India's tour of Australia last winter. Following his retirement, his name will naturally be removed from the BCCI's list of centrally contracted players.

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