List of Indian players who might be excluded or included in BCCI Central contract list ft. Shami

Mohammed Shami [Source: AFP]The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly made some major changes to its central contract system for the 2025–26 season. This update clearly signals the beginning of a new phase in Indian cricket. According to reports, the BCCI has decided to remove the elite A+ category completely and move to a simpler three-group structure. As a result, several senior players may see changes in their contract status, while some younger players could be added for the first time.Under the new structure, Group A is now the highest category and is meant for players who regularly contribute across formats or lead the national team. Meanwhile, star players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have reportedly been moved to Group B. This is mainly because both players have stepped away from Test and T20I cricket and are currently focused only on ODIs. Therefore, based on their limited involvement, the BCCI feels they no longer fit in the top category.With that said, let’s take a closer look at the Indian players who might be excluded from the contract list and the new names who could be included.Indian players who might be excluded from BCCI contractMohammed ShamiOne of the biggest names that might miss out on the BCCI central contract this time is Mohammed Shami. The experienced pacer has been away from the Indian team for nearly a year now. Notably, his last international appearance came during the Champions Trophy 2025, where he performed well by taking nine wickets in five matches at an economy rate of 5.68.However, after that tournament, Shami suffered serious fitness issues, including a heel injury that required surgery. Due to this, he remained unavailable for international selection throughout the rest of 2025. Although he did play in IPL 2025 and some domestic matches, his age and recurring injuries may work against him. At 36, and with younger pacers emerging, his chances of retaining a central contract look slim. It is worth noting that he was previously in Category A, which offered an annual retainer of ₹5 crore.Akash DeepAnother player who could be excluded is Akash Deep. He was part of Group C in the previous contract list. His last appearance for India was during the 2025 tour of England, where he picked up 13 wickets in six innings. However, due to workload management, he missed the fourth Test and was rested for the remainder of the tour.Since then, India have played Test series against the West Indies and South Africa, but Akash Deep was not selected. With new fast bowlers making their mark, his place in the contract list now looks uncertain.Indian Players who might be included from BCCI contractAyush BadoniYoung batter Ayush Badoni is one of the fresh names that could be added to the BCCI central contract list, most likely in Category C. He has had a strong 2025 season, performing consistently in domestic cricket and for India A.Although his List A numbers are average, he has impressed in T20 and first-class formats. Recently, he also earned his maiden India call-up after Washington Sundar was ruled out due to injury.Jitesh SharmaAnother player who might be included is wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. Jitesh has already represented India in T20Is and has shown promise at the international level. So far, he has scored 162 runs in 12 T20I innings.Although he was part of the South Africa T20I series, he did not make it to the T20 World Cup squad as India preferred a top-order wicketkeeper. Still, based on his performances, Jitesh Sharma could be rewarded with a Category C central contract.