BCCI Central Contracts for 2024-25: What Opportunities are still Available for Players who Failed to Make it? Can tey get a chance to play for Team India?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the central contracts for the 2024-25 season, including 34 players in the contract list. However, nine players have been omitted, raising questions about their future prospects with Team India.
Among the notable inclusions in this year's contracts are Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, while several players have faced exclusion. This decision has undoubtedly come as a shock to those left out, but it does not signify the end of their hopes.
Omitted players can still play for Team India
Players under BCCI's central contract earn big amounts, receiving both salaries and match fees. This leads to inquiries about how those without contracts continue to earn money. It’s important to note that players like Shardul Thakur, Jitesh Sharma, and Avesh Khan, despite being dropped from the central contract, still have opportunities to represent Team India in the future.
One of the most recognized names among the omitted players is Shardul Thakur, who may still have a chance to play for India during the England tour in June. The Indian team is set to compete in a five-Test series, and Thakur, who has been performing exceptionally well in IPL 2025, could potentially earn Rs 15 lakh per Test.
Another player to watch is Sai Sudarshan, a left-handed batter and part-time leg-spinner. Despite not being awarded a central contract, his impressive performances—including a T20 debut last year and three ODIs on the South Africa tour in 2023—keep him in contention for the England Test series. If Sudarshan continues to excel in the IPL, opportunities with Team India may arise for him as well.
Additionally, there is substantial financial potential in domestic cricket in India. Players can earn hefty amounts through tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The IPL remains a lucrative platform, and those who have been left out of the central contract will need to enhance their performances to secure a contract worth crores in the future.
Prakash Kumar Pandey