Ishan Kishan BCCI Central Contract controversy erupts again as keeper-batter faces fresh rejection!! Reason revealed

The BCCI has not yet officially announced the central contracts for the 2025-26 season, but the board has already prepared the list that has now gone viral across the platforms. In that leaked list, Ishan Kishan has not found a place in either category, which shocked many.

Ishan Kishan's comeback story meets a fresh setback

Just when it looked like Ishan Kishan had fully fought his way back into India’s plans, he has been left out of the central contract list for this season, triggering fresh debate and putting the BCCI’s contract system under the spotlight.

The wicketkeeper-batter’s annual contract issue started back in late 2023 when he asked for a break because he was feeling mentally tired during India’s tour of South Africa. After that, he did not play domestic matches for Jharkhand despite BCCI’s instructions and instead trained on his own.

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The BCCI was not happy with his attitude, and they removed him from the central contract list for the 2023-24 season. Soon after, he was dropped from the Indian cricket team and stayed out of international cricket for almost two years, missing the last T20 World Cup in 2024.

Strong comeback through performance

However, Ishan Kishan didn’t give up and worked hard to make a comeback. He returned to domestic cricket and had an outstanding season for Jharkhand. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he played fearless cricket and led Jharkhand to their first-ever title. He was the highest run-scorer of the tournament with 517 runs at an amazing strike rate of around 200.

Ishan also proved himself in red-ball cricket. The left-handed batter scored centuries in the Buchi Babu Tournament, the Duleep Trophy, and the Ranji Trophy, showing that he was ready for all formats again. He also smashed a 45-ball century for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 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 he is now seen as a main opening option. During the home T20 series against New Zealand last month, Ishan made another big statement.

Why Ishan Kishan missed out again?

In the fifth T20I, the 27-year-old scored 103 runs off just 43 balls, proving his explosive form once again. Even after all this, Ishan has not received the BCCI central contract this season. Now, many have been questioning the decision, but the reason is simple and fair.

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As reported by a Jagran News journalist, the annual contracts are for the 2025–26 season and are given based on performances from the previous year. Since Ishan Kishan did not play any international cricket for India last season, he was not eligible for the central contracts for this season.

However, if the in-form wicketkeeper-batter continues to play regularly for India and keeps performing well, he is expected to get a central contract next year. It is being said that a total of 30 players will receive BCCI central contracts for the 2025–26 season, based on the national selectors’ recommendations. The official announcement is expected soon.

ये करार 2025-26 का है। यानि पिछले साल के प्रदर्शन के आधार पर खिलाड़ियों को करार मिला है। इसी आधार पर ही करार मिलता है। इशान ने पिछले साल कोई क्रिकेट नहीं खेला इसलिए उनको करार नहीं मिला है। अगले साल वो सेंट्रल कांट्रेक्ट के हकदार होंगे। https://t.co/5BYMbQ4F6s

— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) February 7, 2026