Wisden Unveils Current World Test XI Featuring Four Indian Stars
Introduction to the New WTC Cycle
The ICC World Test Championship has embarked on a new cycle, with the WTC 2025-27 commencing through a two-Test series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Concurrently, Test series involving India against England and Australia facing the West Indies are currently underway. Wisden has announced its selection for the World Best Test XI, based on performances from the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle. Notably, four players from India have made the cut, alongside three from England, two from Australia, and one each from New Zealand and South Africa. It’s worth mentioning that Virat Kohli, following his retirement, was not included in this elite lineup.
Openers: Duckett and Jaiswal
Wisden has chosen Ben Duckett and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the opening pair. Jaiswal, the young Indian opener, has emerged as a top performer, amassing 1903 runs in 20 matches at an impressive average of 52.56 since the start of the WTC 2023-25, including five centuries and ten half-centuries. Meanwhile, England's Duckett has scored 1821 runs in 24 matches, averaging 42.34, with four centuries and nine half-centuries.
Middle-Order Selections
In the middle order, Wisden has included Joe Root at number four, who has been the leading run-scorer in Test cricket over the last few years, accumulating 2083 runs with seven centuries and eight half-centuries in 24 matches since the WTC 2023-25 began. Root currently holds the top position in the ICC Test rankings. Following him is England's all-rounder Harry Brook at number five, who has scored 1620 runs at an average of 50.62 in 19 matches, including four centuries and nine half-centuries. Rishabh Pant, India's standout wicketkeeper-batsman, is placed at number six after recently scoring a century in both innings of a Test against England.
Top Spinners: Jadeja and Lyon
Ravindra Jadeja, the Indian all-rounder, has been selected at number seven. He has excelled with both bat and ball during the WTC 2023-25 cycle, leading in both runs and wickets. Jadeja has scored 700 runs in 16 matches at an average of 31.81 and taken 56 wickets at an average of 26.08.
Pace Attack Featuring Bumrah
The pace attack includes veteran Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who has claimed 82 wickets in 30 innings since the start of the WTC 2023-25. Alongside Bumrah, New Zealand's Matt Henry and South Africa's Kagiso Rabada have also been included. Henry has taken 48 wickets in nine Test matches at an average of 18.58, while Rabada has secured 56 wickets in 11 matches.
Complete Wisden World Test XI
The final Wisden World Test XI comprises Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Steve Smith, Harry Brook, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Matt Henry, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah, and Nathan Lyon.