Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel Likely To Be Promoted In BCCI’s 2025-26 Central Contracts

April 17, 2025: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the central contracts for the 2025-26 season by the end of this week, according to sources within the board. As part of the upcoming changes, star spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are set to be promoted from Grade B to Grade A, while middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is likely to make a return to the central contract list after being dropped for the 2024-25 season.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah Retain A+ Status

Sources indicate that senior players, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, will likely retain their spots in the A+ grade due to their consistent contributions to India’s recent success in international cricket.

Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel: Key Contributors in ICC Title Wins

Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have been instrumental in India’s success in the ICC tournaments. In the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, Kuldeep was a standout performer, taking 10 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 13.90 and an economy rate of 6.95, with a best of 3/19. He continued his good form in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, claiming 7 wickets at an average of 31.85 with an economy rate of 4.79 and best figures of 3/40.

Axar Patel, on the other hand, made vital contributions as both a bowler and a batsman. During the T20 World Cup 2024, he took 9 wickets in 8 games at an average of 19.22 and scored 92 runs at a strike rate of 139.39, including a match-winning 47 in the final against South Africa. In the 2025 Champions Trophy, Axar excelled with both bat and ball, scoring 109 runs in 5 innings at an average of 27.25 and bowling at an impressive economy rate of 4.35. His consistent performances have secured his place as one of India’s key all-rounders.

Shreyas Iyer’s Return to Central Contracts

Shreyas Iyer is also expected to make a return to the central contract list after a successful stint in domestic cricket. Iyer was a key figure in the IPL, leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to victory, and was instrumental in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). As captain of KKR, Iyer made valuable contributions, and his performance in domestic cricket has earned him a spot back in the Indian team.

In the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Iyer was India’s top run-scorer, amassing 243 runs in five matches, including two fifties. This year, in eight ODIs, he has scored 424 runs at an average of 53.00. As the captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL, he has led the team to four wins in six matches, contributing with the bat as well, scoring 250 runs in six matches with three half-centuries.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah: Consistent Performers

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, despite retiring from T20 internationals, continue to be crucial for India in the white-ball format. Rohit, with 257 runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup, including three fifties, and Virat, who played a pivotal knock of 76 in the final against South Africa, are expected to maintain their A+ status. During the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Kohli scored 218 runs in five matches, including a century and a fifty, while Rohit contributed 180 runs in five innings, including a knock of 76 runs in the final against New Zealand.

Jasprit Bumrah, who returned to action after a break during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has been a key player for India across formats. Known for his consistency and lethal bowling, Bumrah was a standout performer in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he took 15 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 8.26, earning the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award. His performances in 2024 included taking 86 wickets in 21 international games, making him the highest wicket-taker across formats.