BCCI is yet to officially announce the central contracts for the 2025-26 season, but the board has already prepared the list which has now gone viral across all platforms. Ishan Kishan has not found a place in any category in that leaked list, which has shocked many people.
The story of Ishan Kishan’s comeback has got a new blow.
Just when it seemed that Ishan Kishan has fully made a comeback in India’s plans, he has been left out of the central contract list for this season, sparking a fresh debate and putting the BCCI’s contract system in the spotlight.
The wicketkeeper-batsman’s annual contract issue started at the end of 2023 when he asked for a break as he was feeling mentally tired during India’s tour of South Africa. After this, despite instructions from BCCI, he did not play domestic matches for Jharkhand and trained on his own.
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The BCCI was not happy with his attitude and removed him from the central contract list for the 2023-24 season. Soon after, he was dropped from the Indian cricket team and remained out of international cricket for almost two years and missed the last T20 World Cup in 2024.
Strong comeback through demonstration
However, Ishan Kishan did not give up and worked hard to make a comeback. He returned to domestic cricket and had an excellent season for Jharkhand. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he played fearless cricket and led Jharkhand to the title for the first time. He was the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 517 runs at an amazing strike rate of almost 200.
Ishan also proved himself in red-ball cricket. The left-handed batsman scored centuries in the Buchi Babu Tournament, Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy, showing that he is ready for all formats again. He also scored a century in 45 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025.
These performances forced the national selectors to bring Ishan Kishan back into the Indian cricket team. He was included in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad and is now being seen as the main opening option. Last month, during the home T20 series against New Zealand, Ishaan had given another big statement.
Why did Ishan Kishan miss again?
In the fifth T20I, the 27-year-old player once again proved his explosive form and scored 103 runs in just 43 balls. Despite all this, Ishaan has not got the central contract of BCCI this season. Now, many people are questioning this decision, but the reason is simple and fair.
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According to a report by a Jagran News journalist, the annual contracts are for the 2025-26 season and are given on the basis of the previous year’s performance. Since Ishan Kishan did not play any international cricket for India last season, he was not eligible for a central contract for this season.
However, if the in-form wicketkeeper-batsman continues to play regularly for India and continues to perform well, he is expected to get a central contract next year. It is being said that based on the recommendations of the national selectors, a total of 30 players will receive BCCI central contracts for the 2025-26 season. An official announcement is expected soon.
This rule is for 2025-26. That is, based on last year’s performance, the players have got the right. It is correct only on this basis. Ishan did not play any cricket last year so no rules were found. Next year he will be nominated for the central contract. https://t.co/5BYMbQ4F6s
-Abhishek Tripathi/Abhishek Tripathi (@abishereporter) 7 February 2026
