Top 10 Cricketers of 2025: Rising Stars and Legendary Performances

The year 2025 was a landmark for cricket, showcasing exceptional performances from both established stars and emerging talents. Shubman Gill led the charge with record-breaking feats, while players like Jacob Duffy and Temba Bavuma made significant impacts for their teams. This article highlights the top 10 cricketers of the year, detailing their achievements and contributions to the sport. From Gill's historic Test series in England to Kohli's remarkable comeback, explore the stories that defined cricket in 2025.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 29, 2025, 21:03 IST

Memorable Cricketing Moments of 2025

The year 2025 was remarkable for cricket, showcasing outstanding performances from both emerging talents and seasoned players. The achievements of some of the sport's legends were solidified, while new stars began to carve their paths, embodying the hopes of their nations and contributing to cricket's evolution into a lucrative and glamorous industry.

The 10 Best Cricketers of 2025

1. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has been a standout player since his Under-19 World Cup days, where he served as Prithvi Shaw's deputy. His impressive technique and stylish play drew comparisons to cricket icons like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Although he struggled to make a significant impact in Test cricket initially, 2025 marked a turning point. Gill excelled in ODIs, contributing to India's ICC Champions Trophy victory with a remarkable 188-run campaign, including a century against Bangladesh. His Test debut in England was historic, where he scored 754 runs in five matches at an average of 75.40, including four centuries. Notable records he achieved include:

Fourth Indian captain to score a century in the first innings
Highest score by an Indian captain in Tests
First Indian to score over 250 runs in a Test inning outside the subcontinent
Joint-most Test centuries as a captain in a series

By the end of the year, Gill was the top run-scorer in men's international cricket, amassing 1,764 runs across formats.

2. Jacob Duffy

Jacob Duffy, the Kiwi fast bowler, concluded the year with the highest number of international wickets, claiming 81 in 36 matches at an impressive average of 17.11. He surpassed Richard Hadlee's long-standing record for the most wickets by a New Zealand bowler in a single year and was ranked second in T20I bowling rankings.

3. Temba Bavuma

Despite facing criticism for his height, Temba Bavuma led South Africa to significant victories, including the ICC World Test Championship title and a historic Test series win in India. He scored 714 runs in 15 matches, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure, particularly in crucial matches.

4. Joe Root

Joe Root remained a beacon of hope for England, finishing the year as the third-highest run-scorer with 1,613 runs at an average of 53.76. He excelled in both ODIs and Tests, becoming England's all-time leading run-scorer in ODIs.

5. Shai Hope

Shai Hope emerged as a consistent performer for the West Indies, scoring 1,760 runs in 42 ODIs. His remarkable innings included a century against India, showcasing the fighting spirit of West Indies cricket.

6. Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma became India's top T20I run-scorer, amassing 859 runs in 21 matches. His explosive batting style and impressive performances in the Asia Cup highlighted his potential as a future star.

7. Rachin Ravindra

Rachin Ravindra finished as New Zealand's leading run-scorer with 1,382 runs. His contributions in the Champions Trophy and Tests demonstrated his growing prowess in international cricket.

8. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli rebounded from a challenging start to the year, finishing strong with significant performances in ODIs and the IPL. He ended the year as India's top run-scorer in ODIs, proving his resilience and skill.

9. Matt Henry

Matt Henry emerged as a key bowler for New Zealand, taking 65 wickets at an average of 16.87, solidifying his role in the team's bowling attack.

10. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav was India's leading wicket-taker, claiming 60 wickets in 25 matches. His performances in the Asia Cup and Champions Trophy were crucial to India's success.