The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to begin discussions about the men’s central contracts for the 2024-25 season, despite being halfway through the new annual retainership cycle. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia mentioned that while there have been some talks about the women’s central contracts, the men’s contracts are not on the agenda in the near future.
It is understood that the BCCI office-bearers may informally discuss the central retainer list with chief selector Ajit Agarkar during the opening tie of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Kolkata. The BCCI traditionally announces central contracts for men and women at the start of each cycle, which runs from October to September. However, the contracts have often been delayed, with the last cycle’s men’s retainer list being made public in February, five months into the cycle.
Issues such as legal challenges following the 2013 IPL corruption scandal have been cited as reasons for the delays in contract announcements. Some players have also called for a restructuring of the contract cycle from April to March to provide more security during the IPL and the start of the international cricket season.
The expected promotion of Jay Shah to ICC Chair and the absence of chief selector Agarkar due to his duties with the national team have further delayed discussions on central contracts for the upcoming season. Saikia, who took over as secretary in January, has prioritized other matters over the central contracts issue.
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