Past India dough Abhinav Mukund opened his own Men’s ODI Team of the Year for 2025led by a star-studded XI Rohit Sharma and anchored by Virat Kohli, but there is no room for New Zealand’s mid-range forces Daryl Mitchell. This line-up is full of run machines and wicket-tanners India, New Zealand, England, South Africa and West Indiagreat prizes Champions Cup 2025 consistency throughout the season between performances and conditions
No room for Daryl Mitchell despite his outstanding year
Mukund’s XI was always going to be a tight squeeze in the middle order and Mitchell is the biggest name to miss out after another dominant year in ODIs for New Zealand. The Black Cap star played a key role in the Champions Trophy final, producing a crucial half-century in Dubai to secure a competitive result against India, but still failed to break into Mukun’s four-man Kohli core. Matthew Bretzke, KL Rahul and comprehensive Michael Bracewell.
Mitchell’s omission underscores how strongly Mukund values ​​all-round balance and net statistical advantage in 2025. Rachin Ravindra Having already sealed a batting spot for New Zealand as Player of the Tournament in the Champions Trophy and had a productive season overall, there was limited space after the inclusion of Indian batsmen and South Africa’s new ‘Mr Consistency’ Breetzke. The decision effectively shows that in Mukund’s eyes, Ravindra’s explosive runner and three pilots, Santner and Adil Rashid New Zealand and England’s all-round spin options have added more value than adding another specialist middle-order batsman like Mitchell in this particular XI.
Former cricketer reveals his best ODI XI of 2025
Mukund’s team combines India captain Rohit and New Zealand star Ravindra with a proven big-tournament temperament in the 2025 form, starting at the top.
1. Rohit Sharma (c) – opener
Rohit had a vintage year in ODIs, scoring 650 runs in 14 innings at an average of 50 and cracking two centuries and four fifties at a strike rate of 100.46, while also lifting the Champions Trophy as India’s captain.
Rohit Sharma in 2025: 14 matches | 650 runs | 100.46 strike rate
2.Rachin Ravindra – opener
Ravindra ended 2025 with 604 ODI runs at an average of 43.14 and a strike rate of 106.90, becoming the heartbeat of New Zealand’s top order and was awarded Player of the Tournament in the Champions Trophy with 263 runs.
Rachin Ravindra 2025: 14 Matches | 604 runs | 106.90 strike rate
3. Virat Kohli – #3
Kohli produced another dominant ODI year, amassing an average of over 65 runs at a strike rate of 96.15 in 13 matches, reaffirming his status as a one-down lynchpin in pressure chases and major tournaments.
Virat Kohli in 2025: 13 matches | 651 runs | 96.15 strike rate
4. Matthew Bretzke – #4
South African Breetzke has emerged as one of the biggest revelations of 2025, scoring over 700 runs in just 12 ODIs at an average of 64.18 and a strike rate of 96.71, with a century and six fifties in an outstanding debut year.
Matthew Breetzke 2025: 12 matches | 706 runs | 96.71 strike rate
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5. KL Rahul (week) – #5/6, keeper
KL Rahul provided agility and composure to India’s middle order, picking up the gloves in 2025 with 367 runs at an average of 52.42 and an impressive strike rate of around 108, which convinced Mukund to use him as the designated wicketkeeper in this XI.
KL Rahul in 2025: 14 matches (ODI) | 367 runs | 107.94 strike rate
6. Michael Bracewell – #6, all-rounder
Bracewell cemented his reputation as a highly effective all-rounder during New Zealand’s run to the Champions Trophy final, contributing vital runs in the medium deliveries and providing key breakthroughs with off-spin.
Michael Bracewell (ODIs) in 2025: 18 matches (ODIs) | 368 runs | 98.92 strike rate
7. Mitchell Santner – #7, bowling all-rounder
Santner provided control, variation and low-order stability that played a “massive role” in New Zealand’s attack; he played as a left-arm spinner, ranking among the leading wicket-takers in ODIs in 2025 with 25 wickets.
Mitchell Santner 2025: 17 matches | 25 doors | 3/41 BBI
8. Adil Rashid – No. 8, leg spinner
England gave Rashid Mukund a third-front spin option and picked up 30 wickets in 15 ODIs with outstanding consistency throughout the year to remain one of the world’s best limited-overs leg-spinners.
Adil Rashid in 2025: 15 matches | 30 doors | 4/63 BBI
9. Matt Henry – #9, fast bowler
Henry topped the ODI wicket charts in 2025, taking 31 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 18.58, repeatedly providing new-ball strikes and death-rise reliability for New Zealand.​​
Matt Henry 2025: 13 matches | 31 doors | 5/42 BBI
10. Jayden Seales – #10, fast bowler
West Indies Accelerator Jayden Seales continuing his rapid rise, with 27 wickets in 12 ODIs at an average of 18.14, including a devastating six that underscored his status as one of the most exciting young quicks in the format.​​
Jayden Seales in 2025: 12 matches | 27 doors | 6/18 BBI
11. Jofra Archer – #11, fast bowler
who completed XI, Jofra Archer’s raw pace and accuracy earned him 18 wickets in nine ODIs at an average of 22.44 and a save rate of just 5.05, making him the ideal enforcer and death-over specialist in Mukun’s set-up.
Jofra Archer in 2025: 9 matches | 18 doors | 4/18 BBI
Also READ: Top 5 nominees for 2025 ICC Cricketer of the Year Award
