BCCI Central Contracts: Two Stars Set To Be Awarded Big Promotion – Both Play For Same IPL 2025 Team

BCCI Central Contracts 2025-26: Key Updates Expected This Week

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to announce its central contracts for the 2025-26 season by the end of this week, according to reliable sources within the organization. This annual announcement is highly anticipated as it not only determines players’ remuneration but also reflects their standing in Indian cricket’s hierarchy.

In a significant development, Delhi Capitals teammates Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are both expected to receive promotions from Grade B to the coveted Grade A category. Their elevation comes on the back of exceptional performances during India’s successful campaigns in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which saw the team secure both prestigious trophies.

Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel: Delhi Capitals Stars Set for Grade A Promotion

Both Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel currently represent Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025, creating a unique situation where two IPL teammates receive simultaneous promotions in the national contract list. Their performances for both India and their IPL franchise have consistently improved over the past two years, making them integral parts of India’s bowling attack across formats.

Kuldeep, with his deceptive left-arm wrist spin, and Axar, with his accurate left-arm orthodox spin and valuable batting contributions, have formed a formidable spin combination for India. Their ability to perform under pressure in ICC tournaments has particularly impressed the selectors and team management, paving the way for their well-deserved promotions.

Kuldeep Yadav’s Stellar Performances in ICC Tournaments

Kuldeep Yadav has emerged as one of India’s premier spinners, particularly in limited-overs cricket. His contributions to India’s recent ICC title triumphs have been substantial and worthy of recognition with a Grade A contract.

In the T20 World Cup 2024, Kuldeep claimed 10 wickets at an impressive average of 13.90 and maintained an economy rate of 6.95, with his best performance being 3/19. His ability to take wickets in the middle overs repeatedly broke the momentum of opposition batting line-ups throughout the tournament.

During the Champions Trophy 2025, Kuldeep continued his good form, taking 7 wickets at an average of 31.85 with an economy rate of just 4.79, and registered best figures of 3/40. His control and variation on different surfaces proved crucial in India’s path to victory.

Axar Patel’s All-Round Impact in World Cup and Champions Trophy

Axar Patel’s value to the Indian team extends beyond his primary role as a spinner. His development as a reliable lower-order batsman has transformed him into one of India’s most important all-rounders, capable of influencing matches with both bat and ball.

In the T20 World Cup 2024, Axar contributed significantly across departments, scoring 92 runs in five innings at an average of 23.00 and an impressive strike rate of 139.39. With the ball, he captured 9 wickets at an average of 19.22 and maintained an economy rate of 7.86, with best figures of 3/23. His counter-attacking 47-run innings in the final against South Africa proved vital to India’s triumph.

During the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Axar showcased his improved batting skills at the challenging number five position, accumulating 109 runs in five innings at an average of 27.25 with a strike rate of approximately 74 in Dubai’s difficult batting conditions. His bowling was equally impactful, as he claimed five wickets while maintaining a miserly economy rate of just 4.35 runs per over.

Beyond his international success, Axar has also taken on additional responsibility in the IPL, being elevated to the captaincy of Delhi Capitals. Under his leadership, the team has enjoyed an excellent start to the season with five wins from six matches, further demonstrating his growing stature in Indian cricket.

Shreyas Iyer: Making a Strong Case for Contract Return

Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is expected to make a return to the BCCI’s central contract list after being controversially dropped for the 2024-25 season. Despite losing his central contract, Iyer has responded with remarkable performances across all levels of cricket.

His achievements over the past year include captaining Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title, winning the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup with Mumbai, and leading Mumbai to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. These domestic successes were followed by a strong return to international cricket, where he emerged as India’s leading run-scorer in their Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, amassing 243 runs in five matches with two half-centuries.

In ODIs this year, Iyer has compiled 424 runs in eight matches at an impressive average of 53.00, including four fifties. His current form in IPL 2025 as Punjab Kings captain has been equally noteworthy, with 250 runs in six matches, including three half-centuries, leading his team to four wins in six games.

Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah: Senior Stars to Retain Grade A Status

Sources indicate that senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah are all likely to retain their positions in Grade A of the central contracts. Despite Rohit and Virat retiring from T20 International cricket after winning the T20 World Cup in 2024, their continued excellence in Tests and ODIs justifies their status among India’s elite players.

Rohit Sharma’s leadership and batting prowess were instrumental in India’s recent ICC trophy successes. In the T20 World Cup 2024, he scored 257 runs in eight matches with three half-centuries, setting the tone at the top of the order. During the Champions Trophy 2025, he maintained his aggressive approach, scoring 180 runs in five innings, including a crucial 76 in the final against New Zealand.

Virat Kohli, despite having a relatively quiet T20 World Cup by his standards, delivered when it mattered most with a match-winning 76 in the final against South Africa. In the Champions Trophy, he reinforced his reputation as a chase master with important innings against Pakistan and Australia, finishing with 218 runs in five matches, including a century and a fifty.

Jasprit Bumrah, widely regarded as the world’s premier fast bowler across formats, last represented India in the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy before returning to action with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025. His 2024 season was phenomenal, with 86 wickets in 21 international matches—the highest by any bowler globally. His performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 earned him the Player of the Tournament award, with 15 wickets in eight matches at an exceptional average of 8.26.

What These Promotions Mean for Indian Cricket

The promotion of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel to Grade A represents a significant shift in India’s cricketing priorities. It acknowledges the increasing importance of quality spin bowling in modern cricket and rewards players who have consistently performed in high-pressure situations.

For Delhi Capitals, having two Grade A India players in their squad enhances their stature in the IPL and validates their retention strategies. The team’s investment in these players has clearly paid dividends both for the franchise and the players themselves.

The expected return of Shreyas Iyer to the contract list sends a positive message that the door remains open for players who respond to setbacks with strong performances. It reinforces the meritocratic aspect of Indian cricket’s selection policy and could motivate other players who find themselves outside the contract system.

The Evolution of BCCI’s Contract System

The BCCI’s central contract system has evolved significantly since its introduction, becoming more structured and reflective of players’ contributions across formats. The 2025-26 contract list appears to continue this evolution, with clear recognition for players who have performed consistently at the highest level.

With India now holding both the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy titles, the new contract list appropriately rewards the architects of these successes while maintaining the status of established stars who continue to deliver for the team.

As the BCCI prepares to officially announce the contracts by the end of this week, the promotions for Delhi Capitals stars Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel represent not just personal milestones for these players but also reflect the changing dynamics of Indian cricket, where consistent performers are duly recognized regardless of their celebrity status.

The simultaneous elevation of two players from the same IPL franchise to Grade A is a rare occurrence that highlights Delhi Capitals’ success in nurturing and developing talent that serves both the franchise and the national team with distinction.