BCCI declared annual player retainership 2023-24: Ishan & Iyer terminate, Rinku & Tilak included

BCCI declared annual player retainership 2023-24: Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were not included in the list of annual contract recommendations this time. In the previous year’s retainer, Iyer was placed in Grade B, whereas Kishan was included in Grade C.

On Wednesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India revealed the Annual Player Contracts for Team India (Senior Men) for the 2023-24 season, from October 1st, 2023, to September 30th, 2024.

Skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as the top earners with Grade A+. This year also the highest tier Grade A+, remains unchanged.

Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Hardik Pandya maintain their Grade A contracts. In previous year KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Shubman Gill as in Grade B but this year move up from Grade B to Grade A.

Ravichandran Ashwin who recently became the second fastest 500 wicket takers after Anil Kumble. Ashwin became the second Indian bowler and the ninth overall to achieve 500 wickets in Test cricket.

Read also: Ashwin the second fastest 500 wicket-taker in international test cricket

Suryakumar Yadav, the top-ranked T20I batter, is included in Grade B, along with newcomers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who receives his first BCCI central contract. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel remains in Grade B.

Yashasvi Jaiswal currently holds the title of highest run-scorer in the five-match ongoing test series with one game left to be played in Dharamsala against England which is a part of ICC World Test Championship. He played a pivotal role in India’s Test series victory against England, was recognized for his consistent performances in both T20Is and Tests.

Rishabh Pant who has not played from action since his horrific car crash in December 2022, is also included in Grade B. Pant is expected to make a comeback in the Indian Premier League this year.

BCCI declared annual player retainership 2023-24: List of Players Grade wise

Grade A+ (4 Players)

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja

Grade A (4 Players)

R Ashwin, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya

Grade B (4 Players)

Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Yashasvi Jaiswal

Grade C (4 Players)

Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaekwad, Shardul Thakur, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, KS Bharat, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan and Rajat Patidar

Furthermore, the players who fulfill the criteria of playing a minimum of 3 Tests, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is within the specified period will automatically qualify for Grade C on a pro-rata basis.

For instance, Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan, having played 2 Test matches thus far, will be included in Grade C if they participate in the Dharamsala Test Match, which is the 5th Test of the ongoing series against England.

In addition, the Selection Committee has recommended Fast Pace Bowling contracts for the following players: Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kaverappa.

Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, and Jitesh Sharma, have been included first time in Grade C contracts this year. Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan may enter the Grade C category if they participate in the final Test against England in Dharamsala.

The Grade C contract stipulates that players must feature in a minimum of 3 Tests, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is within the specified period.

Currently, both Jurel and Sarfaraz have played two Test matches each, and if they participate in the upcoming fifth Test, they would meet the eligibility criteria to receive their first BCCI contracts.

The BCCI has advised all players to prioritize participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team.

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