Test team of the year 2025

Test cricket remains the most traditional and enduring format of the game, and 2025 once again delivered memorable moments and remarkable achievements. The year saw Australia retain the Ashes, India hold England to a hard-fought draw, and South Africa enjoy a historic run by winning the World Test Championship (WTC) final and whitewashing India at home. Amid these team successes, several individuals produced outstanding performances with bat and ball. On that note, let us take a look at the Test XI of the Year for 2025.

Here's CricTracker's Test team of the year 2025

Top-Order: Travis Head, KL Rahul, Joe Root

Australian opener Travis Head earns his place at the top after a consistent year in Test cricket. He scored 817 runs in 21 innings, including two centuries and three half-centuries. His performances in the 2025-26 Ashes were particularly noteworthy. KL Rahul partners him at the other end after a productive year. The Indian opener amassed 813 runs in 19 innings, registering three centuries and three half-centuries.

England’s Joe Root takes the number three position. Root scored 805 runs in 18 innings, which included four centuries and a half-century. Notably, he ended his long wait for a Test century in Australia during the Ashes, a milestone that highlighted his perseverance.

Middle-Order: Shubman Gill, Steve Smith, Temba Bavuma (C), Alex Carey (WK)

Indian Test captain Shubman Gill slots in at number four after a dream year with the bat. He accumulated 983 runs in just 16 innings at a staggering average of 70.21. Gill struck five centuries and one half-century, establishing himself as one of the finest Test batters of the year. Australia’s Steve Smith occupies the number five position. He scored 651 runs in 16 innings, including two centuries and three half-centuries, continuing to anchor Australia’s middle order with his technique.

South Africa’s Temba Bavuma leads the side as captain. In seven innings, he scored 310 runs and played a pivotal leadership role in South Africa’s WTC triumph, which included a famous final victory over Australia and a dominant series whitewash of India. Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey comes in at number seven. He enjoyed an excellent year, scoring 767 runs in 17 innings, including two centuries and four half-centuries, providing crucial runs in the lower middle order.

All-Rounder: Ravindra Jadeja, Marco Jansen

Ravindra Jadeja makes the XI primarily for his batting contributions. He scored 764 runs, including two centuries, and also picked up 25 wickets. While his bowling returns were modest by his standards, his resilience in English conditions during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy stood out. South African pacer Marco Jansen completes the all-rounder duo. He scored 180 runs and took 19 wickets, delivering crucial spells in Indian conditions that played a key role in South Africa’s success.

Bowler: Mitchell Starc, Mohammed Siraj

Mitchell Starc leads the pace attack after a sensational year. The Australian left-armer claimed 55 wickets, the most by any bowler in the year, with his pace and swing proving decisive in the Ashes and the West Indies tour. India’s Mohammed Siraj rounds off the XI. He took 43 wickets in 19 matches, with his long, match-defining spells in England standing out as some of the most impactful performances of the year.

Test team of the year

Travis Head, KL Rahul, Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Steve Smith, Temba Bavuma (C), Alex Carey (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Marco Jansen, Mitchell Starc, Mohammed Siraj

12th Man: Yashasvi Jaiswal