After months of uncertainty over his standing in Indian cricket, Ishan Kishan has been reinstated in the BCCI’s central contract list for the 2024–25 season. However, the comeback is with a catch—Kishan has been slotted in Grade C, the lowest tier among the centrally contracted players.
Kishan was excluded from last year’s contract list, along with Shreyas Iyer, as the BCCI was displeased with their decision to skip domestic cricket despite being unavailable for the national team. The board had made it clear that players must participate in domestic tournaments if not on international duty.
While Shreyas Iyer returned to the contract fold in Grade B following strong domestic and ICC tournament performances, Kishan’s case has been viewed more cautiously. He has been placed in Grade C, alongside young and emerging players like Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and Dhruv Jurel.
Kishan’s recent appearances in the IPL and his occasional national team outings might have influenced this partial reinstatement. However, the fact that he wasn’t rewarded with a higher category reflects that the BCCI is still watching closely—particularly his commitment to domestic cricket.
The 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will now look to rebuild his standing within Indian cricket by making a stronger case through consistent performances and improved availability.
Disclaimer: This update is based on the BCCI’s official central contract list for Team India (Senior Men) for the period from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025.
