Here’s why T Natarajan missed on annual central contracts by BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on April 15 announced its annual list of contracted cricketers. All the known and big names made to the list but there was one name that missed the list and it has surprised many. The list didn’t have the name of India’s emerging pace sensation T Natarajan. The criteria to get awarded with the central contract is- a player has to play a minimum of three Tests or eight ODIs or 10 T20Is in a season.

Players who play all three formats on a constant basis get an A+ contract by the BCCI. Every year BCCI announces its annual contracts for the players in different categories. Players in A+ grade get 7 crore per year and players in Grade A get 5 crores as retainer-ship. Grade B gets 3 crores and the last category Grade C gets 3 crores. The contracts are decided by the BCCI president, secretary, and chairman of the selection committee.

This is why T Natarajan missed out on the central contract

T Natarajan impressed the cricket fraternity big time during the Australia tour. In fact, he made his debut in all the formats of the game during the same tour but he played only 1 Test, 2 ODIs, and 4 T20Is this season. His no of matches failed to meet the criteria set by BCCI. Prithvi Shaw who also played only one Test has missed out on the contract by BCCI, on the other hand, Shubman Gill received it while featuring in three Tests Down Under.

However, if Natarajan features in two more Tests in England this year or plays 6 T20Is or ODIs before September 2021, he would be included in the annual contract list. However, the pacer will not receive the full amount and will get the payment on a pro-rata basis. Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya also didn’t get the annual BCCI contract but even they may get included, given they complete no of the stipulated matches by the BCCI.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah are the only three players to have an A+ Grade contract by BCCI.