The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to delay the announcement of its new central contracts for players until October 2025, despite earlier reports suggesting a release in April. The previous contract cycle ended in mid-2024, but the BCCI has yet to finalize a fresh list, creating uncertainty among players and stakeholders. Traditionally, BCCI contracts run from October to September, but delays have become common, with last year’s list also being postponed and only released in February.

One major reason for the delay is the board’s desire to thoroughly assess player performances, particularly in high-stakes tournaments like the Champions Trophy, before making decisions on contract gradation. The futures of senior players such as Rohit Sharma, ViratKohli, and RavindraJadeja are under scrutiny, especially as they have retired from T20Is and India missed out on the World Test Championship final. The BCCI also plans to consult with head coach GautamGambhir and selectors to chart the team’s future direction, including leadership roles and potential captaincy candidates.

Additionally, the board is considering reducing the size of the support staff, which will be discussed alongside contract negotiations. Until the new contracts are announced, players may continue to receive payouts as per the previous cycle. The delay is also linked to the need for clarity on player availability and roles ahead of India’s upcoming Test series in England and other international commitments.