Kathmandu, Feb 28: In a recent announcement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the central contracts for players for the 2023-24 season. The contracts categorize players into four grades, showcasing the board’s acknowledgment of their contributions to the sport.

Notably, Shreyas Iyer and Ishaan Kishan, prominent figures in the national team, have been excluded from the central contract due to their absence from domestic tournaments.

Leading the pack in the A Plus grade are cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. These players are set to receive an annual salary of Rs 7 crore from the board, reflecting their exceptional performance and influence on the game.

In Grade A, notable names include R Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya, who will each receive an annual salary of Rs 5 crore.

The Grade B roster comprises emerging talents such as Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with an annual salary of Rs 3 crore.

Furthermore, Grade C features promising players like Rinku Singh, Tilak Barma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, and others, who will earn an annual salary as per the board’s stipulation.

Additionally, the BCCI noted that Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, currently part of the Test team, will be eligible for grading if they participate in the upcoming fifth Test against England.

The release of the central contracts underscores the BCCI’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding the efforts of Indian cricket players, setting the stage for another exciting season of cricket ahead.