Best Test XI of calendar year 2025

With 2025 drawing to a close, fans have witnessed several outstanding performances in the longest format of the game throughout the year. Some major results stood out, most notably South Africa's defeat of Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which prevented the Aussies from defending the title. Under Temba Bavuma’s captaincy, the Proteas lifted the trophy and carried that momentum forward with a historic 2-0 whitewash over India in a Test series on Indian soil.

Looking at the possible best Test XI of 2025, India’s KL Rahul and Australia’s Travis Head could form a strong opening pair. Rahul displayed calmness and consistency throughout the year, scoring 813 runs in 19 innings, making him the third-highest run-getter. Although Head usually bats in the middle order, Australia’s decision to use him as an opener in the ongoing Ashes series paid rich dividends. He smashed two brilliant centuries in Perth and Adelaide and ended the year with 817 runs in 21 innings.

At number three, India skipper Shubman Gill has firmly cemented his place. He finished the year as the highest run-getter with 983 runs in just 16 innings, largely driven by his excellent performance during the England tour. At number four and five, England’s Joe Root and Australia’s Steve Smith appear to be the most suitable options. Root scored 805 runs in 18 innings, while Smith accumulated 651 runs in 16 innings.

Australia’s Alex Carey earns the wicketkeeper’s spot after an impressive year both with the bat and behind the stumps. Over the past year, Carey has shown significant improvement, particularly in his glove work. He also played several counter-attacking and match-changing knocks, finishing 2025 with 767 runs in 17 innings, including four fifties and two centuries.

The all-rounder slots could be filled by India’s Ravindra Jadeja and Australia’s Pat Cummins. Jadeja had an excellent year, scoring 764 runs in 17 innings and picking up 25 wickets in 18 innings. Cummins, meanwhile, took 26 wickets in 11 innings and added 123 runs with the bat. While his batting returns were modest, his biggest strength remains his leadership. 

Cummins stands out as the ideal captain, given his consistency and impact. After leading Australia to WTC glory in 2023, he guided them to another final in 2025, even though they fell short this time.

The pace attack would feature Cummins alongside his Australian teammate Mitchell Starc and India’s Mohammed Siraj. Starc finished the year as the leading wicket-taker with 55 wickets in 22 innings, while Siraj followed closely with 43 wickets in 19 innings. 

Completing the XI is South Africa’s spinner, Simon Harmer, who impressed during the India tour and played a key role in South Africa’s historic whitewash. He ended the year with 30 wickets in eight innings.

Here is the best Test XI of the calendar year 2025

KL Rahul, Travis Head, Shubman Gill, Joe Root, Steve Smith, Alex Carey (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Mohammed Siraj, Simon Harmer.

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