As 2025 draws to a close, former Indian cricketer and commentator Abhinav Mukund announced the ‘Best Test XI’ for the year. Mukun’s selection highlights standout performers from major series such as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and the ongoing Ashes while making a bold choice for the South African captain. Temba Bavuma to lead the party.
Abhinav Mukund’s Test XI 2025
Stylish top order
Mukund dominated the right-left opening combination, uniting India KL Rahul with England Ben Duckett. Rahul was the top Test run scorer among openers and a Champions Trophy winner, while Duckett made significant contributions with big centuries in both Test and ODI formats. Rahul has had a stellar year across formats, notably becoming the highest-run opener in Test cricket in 2025, amassing 625 runs by October. He also played an important role in India winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title.
Duckett was a key player for England in all formats. He set the record for the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history with 165 runs against Australia in February 2025, which was later broken. He scored a brilliant 149 in his first Test win at Headingley in the Test series against India.
In number three, Mukund named his captain Bavuma. Bavuma had an exceptional year as both batsman and captain, notably leading South Africa to a historic victory against Australia in the final of the 2025 ICC World Test Championship. As a batter, he maintained an excellent Test average of 60.50 during the year and played crucial innings in South Africa’s first Test series win in India in 25 years.
The advantage of the middle order
The middle row shows the most consistent goalscorers of the year. of England Joe Root, of India Shubman Gill and of Australia Alex Carey. The Indian star ended the year as the highest international run-scorer across all formats, while Root finished as the all-time leading ODI run-scorer and the second-highest Test run-scorer.
Gill scored 1,764 runs in 35 international matches in 2025 at an average of 49.00 including seven hundred and three half-centuries. He had an excellent Test series against England and scored 754 runs with four centuries, including a highest score of 269, and was named joint Player of the Series. Despite his red ball and 50-over success, he was dropped from the T20I squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup due to poor T20I form.
Root ended the year as the leading ODI run scorer with 808 runs at an average of 57.71. In Test cricket, he overtook Ricky Ponting to become the second highest run-scorer of all time. Root scored 1,598 international runs in 2025 across all formats at an average of 57.07.
Carey had a red-hot year in Test cricket, becoming Australia’s top run-scorer at an average of over 51.61. He scored two Test centuries, including a maiden Ashes ton at home in Adelaide. His work behind the stumps, particularly in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, was widely praised and some hailed him as the best wicketkeeper in the world.
Dynamic bowling attack
The Australians lead the bowling attack Mitchell Starcentered the record book in 2025. Starc became the first bowler since 1993 to score more than 50 wickets in a year with a strike rate of less than 30 (28.7). The spin department is led by a ruthless team. Ravindra Jadejawho acts as the side’s main all-rounder and South Africa Simon Harmerhis 30 wickets in just four Tests made him an undeniable choice for Mukund. The pace battery is completed by India Muhammad Siraj and jasprit bumrahcombined for nearly 80 goalies during the calendar year.
Abhinav Mukund’s Best Test XI for 2025: KL Rahul, Ben Duckett, Temba Bavuma (c), Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey (wk), Simon Harmer, Mitchell Starc, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
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