Mitchell Starc and Deepti Sharma Named Leading Cricketers by Wisden

Starc and Sharma Shine in 2025

According to reports, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc and Indian women's cricket all-rounder Deepti Sharma have been honored as the Leading Cricketers in the World by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack for their exceptional performances in 2025. This announcement was made just before the release of the 163rd edition of the Almanack.

Starc, who celebrated his 36th birthday in January, achieved remarkable success in 2025, taking 55 wickets across 11 Test matches with an impressive average of 17.32 and an economy rate of 3.66.

Deepti Sharma earned the title of India's Player of the Tournament as the Indian women's team clinched their inaugural ODI World Cup in 2025, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final. Throughout the tournament, she accumulated 215 runs at an average of 30.71 and claimed 22 wickets at an average of 20.40.

In the final match, Sharma made a significant contribution with a swift 58 runs off 58 balls and concluded her bowling spell with outstanding figures of 5 wickets for 39 runs in 9.3 overs, leading the Women in Blue to victory. She finished the year with 39 wickets at an average of 27.10, the highest in Women's ODIs.

Indian Players Shine in Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year

This year's Almanack also recognized Indian players Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Siraj, who were all included in Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year due to their performances in the five-match Test series against England, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Gill stood out as the top scorer in the series, amassing 754 runs at an impressive average of 75.40, including four centuries.

Jadeja contributed significantly with 516 runs at an average of 86.00, while Pant scored 479 runs at an average of 68.43.

Siraj excelled with the ball, taking 23 wickets at an average of 32.43, making him the leading wicket-taker in the series.

Gill Wins Wisden Trophy for Individual Excellence

Shubman Gill, who captains both the Test and ODI teams for India, received the Wisden Trophy for the outstanding individual performance of the year, following his remarkable 430 runs in the second Test at Edgbaston.

Abhishek Sharma Named Leading T20 Player

Abhishek Sharma, India's dynamic T20I opening batter, has been recognized as the Leading T20 Player globally after an impressive year, scoring 1602 runs in 40 matches at an average of 41.07 and a strike rate of 202.01, including three centuries and nine fifties.

Haseeb Hameed Represents England in Honours List

Haseeb Hameed is the sole English player to receive a major honor this year, being named among the Five Cricketers of the Year after leading Nottinghamshire to the County Championship title, scoring 1,258 runs at an average of 66.00, which includes four centuries, two of which were double tons.