Four Indians headline Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in the 163rd edition

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The latest edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack has crowned Mitchell Starc as the Leading Men’s Cricketer in the World and Deepti Sharma as the Leading Women’s Cricketer, recognizing their exceptional performances in 2025. The prestigious honours come ahead of the release of the Almanack’s 163rd edition.

Starc enjoyed a phenomenal year, picking up 55 Test wickets at an impressive average of 17.32, including a career-best 6 for 9 against West Indies. He carried that form into the 2025–26 Ashes, where his match-winning spells helped secure a dominant series victory for Australia, finishing with 31 wickets at 19.93.

Deepti Sharma, meanwhile, played a pivotal role in India’s historic ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph on home soil. The allrounder delivered consistently throughout the tournament, scoring 215 runs and claiming 22 wickets. Her standout performance came in the final against South Africa, where she struck a crucial 58 and picked up 5 for 39 to seal a memorable win.

India’s dominance is further reflected in Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year, with Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Siraj earning spots for their performances in the gripping 2-2 Test series against England. The only non-Indian on the list is England’s Haseeb Hameed, who impressed with both leadership and consistency in domestic cricket.

Shubman Gill also secured the prestigious Wisden Trophy for the year’s most outstanding individual performance, thanks to his remarkable 430-run effort in the Edgbaston Test. In the shortest format, Abhishek Sharma was named the Leading T20 Player in the World after a prolific year that saw him score over 1000 runs at an extraordinary strike rate.

Beyond individual accolades, the Almanack also reflects on England’s struggles in the Ashes, where the leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum came under scrutiny following a heavy 4-1 defeat in Australia. Editor Lawrence Booth highlighted concerns over England’s approach, suggesting the team had become predictable and disconnected from domestic cricket structures.

The edition also pays tribute to legendary umpire Dickie Bird, remembered fondly for his charisma, fairness, and enduring contribution to the game.

With a blend of record-breaking performances, critical analysis, and heartfelt tributes, the 2026 Wisden Almanack once again captures the defining moments and narratives that shaped the cricketing world.