Ex-cricketer reveals his best XI of T20I format for 2025
While the list features a strong presence of Indian stars who dominated the 2025 calendar, the biggest talking point remains the conspicuous absence of jasprit bumrah. Despite Bumrah’s impressive show, Mukund has opted for a bowling attack based on current form and the unique impact players have had over the past twelve months. The line-up is a mix of explosive opening power, mid-level stability and a bowling unit featuring some of the most successful ‘resurgent’ stars of 2025.
Solid top ft. Abhishek Sharma
Mukund’s opening duo reflects the ‘fearless’ brand of cricket that defined 2025. Abhishek Sharma takes pole position after a record year in which he hit an impressive 135 off 54 balls against England. Working with him is from Sri Lanka Pathum Nissankawho has been a model of consistency, finishing the year with 2,345 career T20I runs and a brilliant 107 against India in the Asia Cup.
England As Butler occupies the number three spot. Even as he balanced domestic duty with the IPL, Buttler’s T20I strike rate remained formidable at almost 149 in 2025, providing the perfect bridge between the powerplay and the middle overs.
- Abhishek Sharma in 2025: 21 matches | 859 runs | 193.46 pass percentage
- Pathum Nissanka in 2025: 18 matches | 625 runs | 149.16 pass percentage
- Jos Buttler in 2025: 15 games | 480 runs | 164.38 pass percentage
Young guns and all-round depth
The middle class is dominated by India’s new-age superstars. Tilak Varma finds a place after a productive year, highlighted by a stunning 73 from 42 against South Africa in December. He is followed by the ‘finisher’ duo of Tim David and South African sensation Dewald Brevis. Brevis, nicknamed ‘Baby AB’, really burst onto the international scene in 2025, breaking records with an unbeaten 125 off 56 balls* against Australia – the highest individual T20I score for South Africa.
Leading the all-round department is Hardik Pandyawho enjoyed a vintage 2025. Pandya surpassed Yuvraj Singh‘s record for most “50+ runs and 1+ wicket” doubles in T20Is, ending his December series against the Proteas with 142 runs at a staggering strike rate of 186.84.
- Tilak Varma in 2025: 20 matches | 567 runs | 129.15 pass rate
- Tim David in 2025: 14 games | 395 runs | 197.50 pass rate
- Dewald Brevis in 2025: 17 games | 464 runs | 176.42 pass percentage
- Hardik Pandya in 2025: 15 matches | 302 runs | 153.29 pass percentage
Also READ: Harsha Bhogle names Test Team of the Year 2025, Pat Cummins named captain
The Jasprit Bumrah-less bowling attack
The most controversial aspect of the XI is the omission of Bumrah. Instead, Mukund has rewarded New Zealand’s huge wicket-taking volume Jacob Duffy and that of India Varun Chakaravarthy. Bumrah notably had a strong year in T20Is in 2025, becoming only the second Indian to reach the 100-wicket milestone and performing exceptionally well in several series. He ended the year as India’s third highest T20I wicket-taker.
Chakaravarthy also had a phenomenal year in T20Is in 2025, finishing as India’s leading wicket-taker and joint-highest among all Test nations with 36 wickets. His stellar performance made him the No. 1 ranked T20I bowler in the world and earned him the Player of the Series award in the home series against South Africa. Duffy also rose to become the world’s No. 1 T20I bowler in April 2025, after the demolition of Pakistan, where he took 4/14. His impressive performance made him the first Kiwi bowler to claim more than 30 T20I wickets in a calendar year. Mukund also came along Muhammad Nawaz And Mustafizur Rahman to complete his bowling attack.
- Varun Chakaravarthy in 2025: 20 matches | 36 wickets | 5/24 BBI
- Jacob Duffy in 2025: 21 games | 35 wickets | 4/14 BBI
- Mohammad Nawaz in 2025: 26 matches | 36 wickets | 5/19 BBI
- Mustafizur Rahman in 2025: 20 matches | 26 wickets | 3/11 BBI
Abhinav Mukund’s best T20I XI of 2025: Abhishek Sharma, Pathum Nisaanka, Jos Buttler, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Dewald Brevis, Hardik Pandya, Mohammad Nawaz, Jacob Duffy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mustafizur Rahman
Also READ: Abhinav Mukund reveals his best Test playing XI for 2025; appoints Temba Bavuma as captain
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