India’s pace ace Jasprit Bumrah and star opener Smriti Mandhana have been named the Leading Men’s and Women’s Cricketers in the World in the latest edition of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2025, released on Tuesday.
Jasprit Bumrah – “Star of the Year”
Wisden editor Lawrence Booth described Bumrah as “quite simply the star of the year,” after a stunning 2024. The fast bowler made history by becoming the first Test bowler to reach 200 wickets at an average under 20.
Bumrah also led India’s charge in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean and produced a remarkable performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he picked up 32 wickets at 13.06 in Australia.
Smriti Mandhana Breaks Records
Smriti Mandhana became the top run-scorer in women’s international cricket in 2024, scoring 1659 runs, including four ODI hundreds—a record in itself. Her standout knock was a 149-run Test century against South Africa, cementing her place as one of the best in the game.
Nicholas Pooran and Wisden’s Other Awards
West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran was named T20 Cricketer of the Year, while Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, Dan Worrall, Liam Dawson, and Sophie Ecclestone were picked as the Five Cricketers of the Year.
New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner won the Wisden Trophy for Performance of the Year for his 13-wicket haul in Pune that sealed a rare Test series win over India.
Editor’s Note: Harsh Words for Global Cricket Governance
Wisden’s editor Booth criticized the global mismanagement of cricket, citing the ICC’s current World Test Championship format and Jay Shah’s transition from BCCI to ICC Chair. He also warned about growing inequality in The Hundred and questioned the sustainability of ECB’s recent windfall.
With India’s top players sweeping top global honors, the 2025 Wisden Almanack reflects another dominant year for Indian cricket across formats.
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