Jasprit Bumrah, Smriti Mandhana named as Wisden's Leading Cricketers in 2025 Almanack

India’s cricketing pride soared higher as Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana were named Wisden’s Leading Cricketers in the World for 2024. The prestigious honours were announced in the 2025 edition of the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, published on Tuesday.

Jasprit Bumrah, lauded as the "star of the year" by Wisden editor Lawrence Booth, achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Test bowler to reach 200 wickets at an astonishing average of less than 20. His stellar record included 71 Test wickets at an average under 15, and a match-winning performance in India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign in the Caribbean.

Reflecting particularly on his dominance during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Booth described Bumrah’s bowling as "so lethal, so uniquely challenging" that runs scored off him "should have counted double." His near-unstoppable form has led to comparisons with the greatest bowlers in cricket history.

Smriti Mandhana made it a double celebration for India by being named the Leading Women’s Cricketer in the World. In a record-breaking 2024, she amassed 1659 runs across formats, setting a new benchmark for women’s international cricket. With four ODI hundreds and a commanding Test century against South Africa, Mandhana cemented her place among the sport's elite.

Elsewhere, Nicholas Pooran of the West Indies was recognised as the Leading T20 Cricketer, while Wisden’s traditional Five Cricketers of the Year included Surrey trio Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, and Dan Worrall, alongside Hampshire's Liam Dawson and England’s Sophie Ecclestone.

The Wisden Trophy for the year’s outstanding individual performance went to New Zealand's Mitchell Santner, who delivered a match-winning 13-wicket haul against India at Pune, leading New Zealand to a historic series win.

The Almanack also addresses significant concerns in cricket governance, criticising 2024 as the year cricket "gave up any claim to being properly administered," especially highlighting Jay Shah’s controversial move from BCCI secretary to ICC chair and questioning the structure of the World Test Championship.