The latest edition of the prestigious Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack has placed Australia’s express fast bowler Mitchell Starc and India’s dynamic all-rounder Deepti Sharma at the forefront of global cricket recognition, as both were named leading Wisden cricketers of the year. Their selection reflects a year defined by match-winning performances, consistency, and decisive contributions on the international stage across both men’s and women’s cricket.
In women’s cricket, India’s long pursuit of a global title finally reached its pinnacle during a home World Cup campaign, where they defeated South Africa by 52 runs in a historic final. The victory marked India’s first-ever world championship in the format, ending years of near misses under the leadership of captain Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Smriti Mandhana.
At the heart of that triumph stood Deepti Sharma, whose all-round brilliance proved decisive. In the final, she produced a composed 58-run innings and followed it with a devastating five-wicket haul, dismantling the opposition’s batting order. Across the tournament, she accumulated 215 runs and claimed 22 wickets, ultimately earning the Player of the Tournament accolade and now the Wisden honour for her outstanding season.
On the men’s side, Mitchell Starc once again reaffirmed his reputation as one of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket. Throughout the year, he claimed 55 Test wickets, consistently breaking partnerships and setting the tone for Australia’s dominance in red-ball cricket. His standout performance came against England, where he recorded figures of 7 for 58, the best of his career. During the Ashes series, his 31 wickets played a decisive role in Australia retaining the urn.
Wisden also recognised excellence in the shorter format. India’s emerging T20 talent Abhishek Sharma crossed the landmark of 1,000 runs in a calendar year, signalling his arrival on the international stage as a consistent top-order force.
The broader Wisden Five Cricketers of the Year list further highlighted India’s strong presence, alongside notable performers such as Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Siraj, and England’s Haseeb Hameed, all of whom delivered impactful performances across formats and conditions.
Key Performers Overview
| Category | Player | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Wisden Women’s Cricketer of the Year | Deepti Sharma | 215 runs & 22 wickets; World Cup-winning performance |
| Wisden Men’s Cricketer of the Year | Mitchell Starc | 55 Test wickets; 31 Ashes wickets |
| Leading T20 Performer | Abhishek Sharma | Surpassed 1,000 T20 runs in a year |
| Wisden Five Cricketers | Shubman Gill | Notable high-impact innings including 430-run contribution |
| Wisden Five Cricketers | Ravindra Jadeja | Consistent all-round performances |
| Wisden Five Cricketers | Rishabh Pant | Key batting contributions across formats |
| Wisden Five Cricketers | Mohammed Siraj | Crucial breakthroughs with the ball |
| Wisden Five Cricketers | Haseeb Hameed | 1,258 runs in county cricket |
This year’s Wisden recognition underscores the growing competitive balance in world cricket, with India and Australia particularly dominating the honours. For Deepti Sharma and Mitchell Starc, the awards not only celebrate individual excellence but also symbolise their pivotal roles in shaping their teams’ successes on the global stage.