The BCCI has released its list of annual player contracts, with the headline being the inclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan in Grade B and C respectively. While Suryakumar Yadav remains in Grade B despite being named T20I captain, there were no major promotions or demotions in the other categories. Interestingly, there are 19 players in Grade C this year, with five new additions including Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended its copyrights for an additional five years, sparking speculation about the future of the sport. With this move, the BCCI now holds all commercial and broadcasting rights for cricket in the country. This decision has implications for both fans and players, as the BCCI's control over these copyrights could shape the way the sport is played and experienced in the coming years.
Shreyas Iyer returns to the BCCI's central contract list after a year of absence due to a fallout with the selection committee. Along with him, newcomers Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Abhishek Sharma make their debut on the list. These changes come after Team India's successful run at the 2025 Champions Trophy, where Iyer emerged as the top scorer. Other notable names include Ishan Kishan who gets a Grade C contract, and MS Dhoni hinting at bringing in younger players in the next IPL season.
The Indian men's cricket team's support staff has reportedly been given a massive overhaul, with several coaches and trainers being sacked. This comes after India's recent tour of Australia, where they lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and failed to qualify for the World Test Championship final. While the BCCI is yet to confirm the news, reports suggest that assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip, and trainer Soham Desai are among those who have been removed from service. The support staff changes are expected to take place ahead of India's upcoming test series against England, starting in June.
Batting superstar Virat Kohli recently expressed his criticism towards the BCCI's decision to limit family time on international tours. This move has caused controversy, with players feeling that it affects their focus and personal well-being. Yuvraj Singh's wife, Hazel Keech, has spoken out in support of the updated policy, stating that it benefits both players and their families. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that the rule will remain in place for the time being, citing its importance to the country and the board.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the central contracts for men's cricket in the near future, but questions remain over the eligibility of retired T20 stars for the top A+ grade. As Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja are no longer active in T20 internationals, their status for the elite contract is under debate. Meanwhile, Axar Patel's vice-captaincy for the T20I series against England could potentially earn him a promotion from Grade B to A, while the exclusion of retired player Ravichandran Ashwin is also expected.
The BCCI secretary will meet with the Indian men's cricket team head coach and chief selector during an IPL match in Guwahati to discuss the central contracts. Due to personal reasons, the announcement of the contracts has been delayed, but efforts will be made to reach a decision during the meeting on March 30th. Additionally, there are plans to make changes to the Indian support staff, with current members possibly being let go and new replacements being brought in.
The highly anticipated commentary panel for IPL 2025 has been revealed, but the absence of former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised questions. According to reports, Pathan has been snubbed due to complaints from India cricketers who believe his comments are personally motivated. This comes after other high-profile commentators like Sanjay Manjrekar and Harsha Bhogle have faced similar treatment in the past. Is BCCI president Sourav Ganguly leading a vendetta against critics of Indian players?
Former India cricketer and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has shut down rumors of Rohit Sharma's retirement after the upcoming Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. Despite a dip in form, Ganguly believes there is no reason for talks of Rohit's retirement, especially after his recent World Cup win and consistent success as captain. Vice-captain Shubman Gill has also confirmed that Rohit has not discussed retirement and may consider it after the final.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has successfully registered copyrights for 2025, granting them exclusive rights to all forms of media, broadcasting, and merchandising related to Indian cricket. This move further strengthens BCCI's control over the country's beloved sport, allowing them to make strategic decisions for its future growth and commercial success. Fans can expect to see more innovative moves and collaborations from BCCI in the years to come.