The conclusion of the Australia vs England Ashes Test in Melbourne marked the end of international cricket among full member nations in 2025. Despite Australia’s stunning four-wicket defeat, they finished the year with an impressive record of nine Test wins out of 11 matches. South Africa, the reigning WTC champions, were the other standout team in red-ball cricket, securing seven victories out of eight games.
Shifting focus to ODIs, India showcased their dominance by winning 11 out of 14 matches, including a triumph in the Champions Trophy final. Meanwhile, New Zealand emerged victorious in 17 out of 20 games, with Sri Lanka not far behind with seven wins out of 13 matches. In the T20I format, Team India continued their stellar performance by winning 15 out of 21 matches, while Australia managed to secure 10 victories out of 16 games.
The year 2025 also witnessed some outstanding performances from bowlers in international cricket. Let’s take a closer look at the top five bowlers with the most wickets among full member nations in 2025.
#5 Mitchell Starc (58 wickets)
The seasoned Australian left-arm pacer, Mitchell Starc, claimed 58 wickets in 2025 across 14 matches and 25 innings. With an average of 18.41, Starc impressed with three five-fers and one ten-wicket match haul. His standout performances included a remarkable 6-9 against West Indies and 7-58 & 3-55 against England in the Ashes Test. Starc also made valuable contributions with the bat, scoring 77 runs in one of the matches.
#4 Kuldeep Yadav (60 wickets)
Team India’s left-arm wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, showcased his talent by claiming 60 wickets in 2025 from 25 matches and 28 innings. With an average of 20.48, Kuldeep notched up one five-fer and five four-fers. His standout performance came with figures of 5-82 against West Indies in Delhi. In Tests, ODI, and T20Is, Kuldeep consistently delivered impressive performances, proving his worth in the team.
#3 Blessing Muzarabani (65 wickets)
Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani secured the third spot on the list with 65 wickets in 31 matches and 34 innings. His average of 27.58 included three five-fers and one four-wicket haul. Muzarabani’s standout performances in Tests against Ireland, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan showcased his bowling prowess across formats.
#2 Matt Henry (65 wickets)
New Zealand pacer Matt Henry had a remarkable year in 2025, claiming 65 wickets in 27 matches and 29 innings. With an impressive average of 16.87, Henry recorded three five-fers and four-wicket hauls. His standout performances in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is highlighted his consistency and effectiveness with the ball.
#1 Jacob Duffy (81 wickets)
Leading the pack is New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy, who topped the charts with 81 wickets in 36 matches and 39 innings. Duffy’s average of 17.11 included three five-fers and four four-fers, showcasing his bowling prowess across formats. His standout performances in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is solidified his position as the top bowler among full member nations in 2025.
In conclusion, the year 2025 witnessed some exceptional bowling performances from these top five bowlers, showcasing their talent and skill in international cricket. As the year comes to a close, fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming cricket season, hoping to see more remarkable displays of bowling excellence on the field.
