Harsha Bhogle picks Test Team of the Year 2025, Pat Cummins named captain

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Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle has sparked cricket conversations worldwide by revealing his premier Test lineup for 2025. His selection highlights a shift toward high-impact players, featuring a balance of gritty traditionalists and aggressive stroke-makers. Notably, the XI, picked on cricbuzz, includes four Indian stars who anchored their team’s success throughout a busy calendar year.

The opening pair features a blend of technique and flair. KL Rahul secures his spot after a prolific year, amassing 813 runs in 19 innings at an average of 45.2, including three centuries. Partnering him is the unconventional Travis Head, who Bhogle praised for his match-winning cameos in the Ashes, including a vital 120 against the West Indies and consistent aggressive starts.

At number three is India’s Test captain Shubman Gill, who finished 2025 as a leading contender for Player of the Year. Gill’s staggering 983 runs, highlighted by five centuries and a mammoth 269 against England, made him an automatic choice.

The middle order is a “who’s who” of batting royalty. Joe Root continues his historic run, becoming the first player to cross 6,000 WTC runs. In 2025, he notched up massive scores, including a 150 against India. Following him is Steve Smith, whose twin centuries against Sri Lanka (131 and 141) early in the year proved he remains a master of the format.

Ravindra Jadeja slots in as the premier batting all-rounder. While his bowling was steady, his batting reached new heights in 2025, averaging 63.7 and striking five consecutive fifties during the tour of England.

Behind the stumps, Alex Carey earned his place with both gloves and bat. Carey enjoyed a career-best year with 743 runs at an average of 53, including a top score of 156. The lone specialist spinner is South Africa’s Simon Harmer, who terrorized lineups in late 2025, taking 21 wickets in just two Tests against India, including two separate six-wicket hauls.

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The bowling attack is led by Bhogle’s Test Player of the Year, Mitchell Starc. The left-armer enjoyed a “prime” year at age 35, taking 55 wickets at a remarkable average of 17.3. He is joined by Pat Cummins, who not only led Australia to the WTC Final but maintained an elite bowling average of 16.53 across his appearances. Bhogle also named Cummins as the captain of the team.

Rounding off the XI is Mohammed Siraj. The Indian pacer was rewarded for his tireless work ethic and a standout series against England where he claimed 23 wickets, often outperforming more senior peers through sheer persistence.

Harsha Bhogle’s Test Team of the Year 2025: KL Rahul, Travis Head, Shubman Gill, Steve Smith, Joe Root, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Mohammed Siraj, Simon Harmer

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