Indian Cricket’s Central Contracts Put on Hold, Awaiting Final Call

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has postponed its decision regarding the central contracts for the Indian men’s team, despite widespread media speculation about a high-profile meeting scheduled for Saturday. Sources have confirmed that no such meeting took place, delaying key decisions on player retainership and coaching staff assessments.

Meeting Was Never Scheduled

Reports suggested that a meeting involving chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was set for March 29 in Guwahati. However, reliable sources have denied that such a meeting was planned.

While the selection committee has not yet discussed player grades, it is expected that the board will make a final call on both the retainership list and the coaching staff’s tenure in the near future. The delay is notable as the BCCI had only recently announced the annual player contracts for the 2024-25 season.

Uncertainty Over Coaching Staff Review

One of the key topics of discussion in the postponed meeting was expected to be the performance review of the Indian team’s coaching staff. While specifics remain unclear, two members of the coaching staff are reportedly under scrutiny.

Gautam Gambhir, who recently returned from an overseas holiday, was in Delhi on Saturday. There is also no confirmation regarding Ajit Agarkar’s presence in Guwahati, though selectors have been traveling to Assam for IPL matches.

Expected Changes in Central Contracts

Despite the delay, some expected changes in the central contracts have already emerged:

• Shreyas Iyer Likely to Be Reinstated: Iyer, who was excluded last year for skipping domestic cricket, is expected to return to the list.
• Ravichandran Ashwin to Be Dropped: Having retired from international cricket, Ashwin is set to lose his Grade A contract.
• Varun Chakaravarthy Eligible for Retainership: The leg-spinner, a key player in India’s recent Champions Trophy win, has played 18 matches (4 ODIs, 12 T20Is) over the past year, making him eligible for a Grade C contract as per BCCI rules.

Existing Contract Structure Likely to Stay

While these individual changes are expected, the overall contract structure may remain largely intact. Last year’s retainership featured 30 players divided as follows:

Grade Players Count

• A+ 4
• A 6
• B 5
• C 15

The Grade C category, known for its flexibility, might see minor adjustments based on performance.

With the central contracts still undecided, players and fans will have to wait for the BCCI’s final announcement. Meanwhile, discussions around the coaching staff’s future and player gradation remain ongoing, adding to the uncertainty. The delay suggests that the board is being cautious, possibly re-evaluating its approach before making a final call.

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