The past year was exceptional for India, particularly in white-ball cricket, with title victories in the T20 World Cup 2025 and Champions Trophy 2025. India also toured Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024, where several players made their debuts and showcased their potential. The BCCI is set to announce its Central Contract List for 2025 but has delayed it to assess players’ performances in the Champions Trophy. While last year’s list was released in February, this time, some players may be dropped due to limited international appearances.
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Reddy made his Test and T20I debut for India last year and has emerged as a remarkable talent with his impressive batting performances in both formats. Given his potential, he is likely to earn a central contract for the upcoming year as a key figure in India’s future.
His standout moment came during the IND vs AUS Test series, where he delivered a stunning 114-run knock in the fourth Test at Melbourne. This innings, along with a series of consistent 40+ scores, firmly established him as one of India’s top batters in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma should be included in next year’s central contract, specifically for the T20I format. The Sunrisers Hyderabad opener has consistently proven his worth with strong performances. He smashed the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian against England on February 2, scoring a stunning 135 runs, which included 13 sixes and 7 fours.
Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana is a strong contender for a central contract, having been included in all formats of the game. The pacer has made a significant impact across formats, picking up 10 wickets in four ODIs, four wickets in two Test matches, and three in his only T20I appearance.
