As the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2025 award approaches announcement, anticipation builds around players who dominated the longest format with extraordinary consistency and impact. This prestigious honour recognizes sustained excellence across gruelling series, where batters piled up runs and bowlers dismantled line-ups under pressure. Deep research into 2025 performances reveals a fiercely contested race blending volume stats, match-winning knocks, and pivotal contributions
Top 5 contenders for ICC Men’s T20I cricketer of the Year 2025
1. Joe Root (England)
England‘s Joe Root emerged as the leading run-scorer in Test cricket for 2025, showcasing masterful consistency across demanding series. His prolific output highlighted a refined technique blending patience with calculated aggression, anchoring England’s revival in key battles.
Runs: 805
Average / Strike Rate: 50.31 / 57.70
Milestones: Recorded 4 centuries and 1 half-century in 18 innings.
Signature Performance: Crafted an unbeaten 135 at the Gabba during the Ashes, hailed as his finest innings amid a top-order collapse, steering England to a fighting total against Australia’s pace barrage.
2. Shubman Gill (India)
Shubman Gill dominated the run charts as India‘s young captain, blending elegance with resilience on challenging pitches worldwide. His explosive scoring propelled India to series triumphs, marking his ascent as a global batting powerhouse.
Runs: 983
Average / Strike Rate: 70.21 / 63.70
Milestones: Smashed 5 centuries and 1 half-century in 16 innings.
Signature Performance: Blasted a career-best 269 at Edgbaston against England, part of twin tons totalling over 430 runs that sealed a commanding victory, the highest by an Asian in an English series.
Also READ: Top 5 contenders for ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2025
3. Travis Head (Australia)
Travis Head‘s fearless aggression lit up Australia‘s campaigns, particularly in the Ashes defense, where his rapid counters dismantled bowling attacks. His ability to accelerate under pressure proved decisive in high-stakes chases and rebuilds.
Runs: 817
Average / Strike Rate: 40.85 / 79.39
Milestones: Notched 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries in 21 innings.
Signature Performance: Unleashed 170 in the Ashes at Perth, clinching the series with a blistering chase of 205 for an 8-wicket win, embodying his new-ball opener role.
4. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Mitchell Starc terrorized batters with express pace and swing, leading Australia’s bowling charts and turning matches single-handedly. His stamina across long hauls and flat tracks underscored his status as a modern great.
Wickets: 55
Average / Economy: 17.32 / 3.66
Milestones: Claimed 3 five-wicket hauls and 1 ten-wicket match in 22 innings.
Signature Performance: Devastated India with 7/58 at the MCG, including a lethal 1-25 spell that sparked a collapse, pivotal in retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
5. Mohammed Siraj (India)
Mohammed Siraj spearheaded India’s pace attack, surging to the top of global Test wicket-takers with fiery spells in diverse conditions. His leadership in the fast-bowling unit complemented spin dominance, restricting opponents ruthlessly.
Wickets: 43
Average / Economy: 27.20 / 3.75
Milestones: Secured 2 four-wicket hauls and 2 five-wicket hauls in 19 innings.
Signature Performance: Dismantled West Indies with 6/70, including Shai Hope‘s prized wicket at 103, propelling India to a series whitewash abroad.
Also READ: Top 5 contenders for ICC Men’s ODI cricketer of the Year 2025
