Indian cricket stars Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana have earned top honors in the 2025 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, which was released on April 22. The duo was named the Leading Cricketers in the World, making it a moment of double celebration for Indian cricket fans.
Bumrah’s dominance across formats, particularly in Test cricket, secured him the men’s title. In 2024, he became the first bowler in history to take 200 Test wickets at an average of under 20. His tally included 71 wickets at less than 15 each. Notably, he led India to a historic victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean. Wisden editor Lawrence Booth described Bumrah as “the star of the year,” praising his mesmerizing bowling in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he bagged 32 wickets at 13.06 in Australia.
Smriti Mandhana had an equally stellar year. With 1,659 international runs in 2024, including four ODI centuries, she set a new record for the most runs scored by a woman in a calendar year. Her standout performance came against South Africa, where she scored a sublime 149 in a ten-wicket Test win. Mandhana’s consistency across all formats made her the obvious choice for the top women’s award.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran was named Wisden’s Leading T20 Cricketer in the World. He impressed with his explosive performances throughout the year, further establishing himself as a global T20 powerhouse.
Among Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year, three Surrey stars—Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, and Dan Worrall—featured prominently for their roles in securing a third consecutive County Championship title. They were joined by Hampshire all-rounder Liam Dawson and England spinner Sophie Ecclestone. Atkinson, in particular, lit up the summer with a 12-wicket Test debut at Lord’s and a century batting at No. 8.
Elsewhere, New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner received the Wisden Trophy for his 13-wicket haul in Pune, which sealed a series win against India—India’s first home Test series loss since 2012.
In his editorial, Booth criticized cricket’s global administration, highlighting Jay Shah’s controversial rise to ICC Chair. He also questioned the integrity of the upcoming WTC Final between Australia and South Africa, calling it a “shambles masquerading as a showpiece.”
The 2025 Almanack also pays tribute to the legendary James Anderson, who retired with a staggering 704 Test wickets, and honors late English cricketers Derek Underwood and Graham Thorpe. Amanda Thorpe’s heartfelt piece sheds light on her husband’s silent battle with mental health.
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