New Delhi, Feb. 29 -- From tearaway Umran Malik, Bengal speedster Akash Deep who made his Test debut in Ranchi in the ongoing red-ball series against England to highly-rated Karnataka pacer Vidwath Kaverappa, a select complement of rising Indian speed guns were handed retainership contracts by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The BCCI, on Wednesday, picked promising speedsters Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal and Vidwath Kaverappa as part of a specially curated group for fast bowling contracts.

"The Selection Committee has also recommended Fast Bowling contracts for the following athletes - Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal and Vidwath Kaverappa," the BCCI, cricket's top admini...