Jasprit Bumrah Named World’s Leading Men’s Cricketer for 2025 by Wisden

India’s pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah has been crowned the Leading Men’s Cricketer in the World for 2025 by the esteemed Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, widely regarded as the sport’s “bible.” Alongside him, fellow Indian Smriti Mandhana received the women’s top honor.

Bumrah was awarded the accolade on Thursday following a remarkable 2024 season that showcased his prowess in both red-ball and white-ball formats. The 31-year-old claimed 71 Test wickets at an astonishing average of less than 15, and was named Player of the Tournament as India triumphed in the T20 World Cup held in the West Indies.

Wisden’s editor Lawrence Booth called Bumrah “quite simply the star of the year,” highlighting his impact during India’s challenging series in Australia. Booth remarked, “He was so lethal, so uniquely challenging — a staccato of limbs somehow forming a symphony — that runs scored off him should have counted double.” He further noted Bumrah’s achievement of taking 32 wickets at an average of 13 in Australia, asserting that Bumrah “laid a claim to be considered the greatest of all time,” becoming the first bowler with 200 Test wickets at an average below 20.

Despite Bumrah’s heroics, Australia edged out India 3-1 in the five-match Test series, which concluded in early January.

In the women’s category, 28-year-old Smriti Mandhana claimed the top spot after an extraordinary year, scoring 1,659 runs across all formats— the highest by any woman in a single calendar year of international cricket.

The Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, in continuous publication since 1864, continues to be the definitive annual reference for cricket excellence, celebrating the sport’s top performers each year.