Daijiworld Media Network - Guwahati

Guwahati, Mar 28: India men’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are set to meet BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia in Guwahati on Saturday to deliberate on the long-pending central contracts for the 2024-25 cycle.

While the BCCI recently announced annual retainers for women cricketers, the men's contracts remain unsettled despite half of the cycle being over. Saikia and Agarkar briefly discussed the issue during the IPL opener in Kolkata, but with Gambhir away on a family vacation, the final decision was deferred to this meeting.

Among the key talking points will be the status of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the top bracket. Despite their T20I retirements and uncertainties in Test cricket, both are likely to retain grade A+ status, following the precedent set by MS Dhoni. Additionally, Shreyas Iyer, who missed out on the previous contract cycle for skipping domestic cricket, is expected to be reinstated, though his grading remains uncertain.

Discussions may also include squad selection for India's upcoming tours to England. The BCCI is unlikely to revise contract retainers from the previous cycle, with grade A+ players earning Rs 7 cr, grade A Rs 5 cr, grade B Rs 3 cr, and grade C Rs 1 cr.

With several critical decisions on the table, the Guwahati meeting will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Indian cricket’s contract structure.