India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana have earned one of cricket’s highest honors — being named the ‘Leading Cricketer in the World’ and ‘Leading Woman Cricketer in the World’ respectively by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, often dubbed the Bible of Cricket. West Indies’ power-hitter Nicholas Pooran was recognized as the ‘Leading T20 Cricketer in the World’ for his explosive performances.
The 2025 edition of the iconic Wisden Almanack — its 162nd release — is set to be published on Tuesday, celebrating the finest global cricketing achievements from the past year.
Bumrah’s recognition comes as no surprise. The Indian speedster delivered stellar performances across formats. Last year, he became the first bowler in Test history to claim 200 wickets at an average under 20. His incredible form was crucial to India’s T20 World Cup triumph, and despite India’s struggles in the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia, Bumrah shone individually. Before an injury ruled him out of the final Test, he had already taken 32 wickets at a stunning average of 13.06.
Wisden editor Lawrence Booth described Bumrah as “quite simply the star of the year.” Bumrah took 71 wickets in just 13 Tests at an average of 14.92, numbers unmatched by any other bowler in the world.
Mandhana, meanwhile, had a record-breaking year with the bat. She amassed 1,659 runs across formats, the most in a calendar year in women’s international cricket. Her tally included four ODI centuries, another world record, and a brilliant 149 in her only Test match of the year.
This is the second time Mandhana has earned this honor, having also been named ‘Leading Woman Cricketer’ in 2018. Before her, only Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney had achieved this feat twice. Fellow Indian Mithali Raj won the award in 2017.
In T20 cricket, Nicholas Pooran dominated with the bat, scoring 2,331 runs in a calendar year, smashing 170 sixes — both new world records. He comfortably broke Mohammad Rizwan’s record of 2,036 runs and Chris Gayle’s 135 sixes. His performance left no room for debate in the selection of the ‘Leading T20 Cricketer’.
The Wisden Trophy for Outstanding Individual Test Performance went to Mitchell Santner. In the Pune Test against India last October, Santner took 13 wickets, leading New Zealand to a historic win. The series win, sealed with a 3-0 sweep, marked one of the country’s greatest Test achievements.
This trophy, awarded in collaboration with MCC since 2023, recognizes the finest Test performance of the year. Previous winners include Jonny Bairstow and Travis Head.
Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year, its most traditional and prestigious awards since 1889, were announced as Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, Daniel Worrall, Liam Dawson, and Sophie Ecclestone. These awards focus on performances in English domestic and international cricket and are never repeated for the same player.
Gus Atkinson had a dream debut Test at Lord’s, taking 12 wickets. He ended his debut season with 52 wickets, including a hat-trick during England’s New Zealand tour. Jamie Smith, who also debuted last season, made an immediate impact with aggressive batting, scoring 637 runs in 9 Tests with a century and four fifties.
Australian-born Daniel Worrall, eligible to play for England this summer, was a key figure for Surrey with 52 wickets at just 16 runs apiece.
All-rounder Liam Dawson impressed with both bat and ball, scoring 956 runs at nearly 60 and taking 54 wickets for Hampshire.
Sophie Ecclestone, despite modest outings in the Women’s T20 World Cup and Ashes, was sensational during the English summer, becoming the country’s top T20 wicket-taker. She grabbed 26 wickets at under 10 runs per wicket, cementing her place among the elite.
The 2025 edition of Wisden also paid tribute to legendary England fast bowler James Anderson, who retired from Tests with 704 wickets over a career spanning nearly 21 years.
Two former England cricketers who passed away last year — Graham Thorpe and legendary left-arm spinner Derek Underwood — were also honored. Underwood was remembered by former England captain Mike Brearley, while Thorpe’s tribute came from his wife, Amanda Thorpe.
