Although many specialists dominated the individual formats, the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year Award rewards those who have shown sustained brilliance during Tests, ODIs and T20Is. From Pakistan’s new versatile leader to India’s run-machine captain, here are the top five contenders for 2025.
5 frontrunners for ICC Cricketer of the Year 2025
1. Shubman Gill (India)
Gill really has 2025 in his grasp, marking his arrival not just as a premier batsman but also as a world-class leader. Taking over the reins of Rohit Sharma As India’s all-format captain it was never going to be easy, but Gill embraced the responsibility with remarkable maturity and consistency.
He amassed an impressive 1,764 international runs and ended the year as the highest run-scorer in world cricket. His output wasn’t bloated by one format either: Gill delivered in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, averaging almost 50 in 35 matches.
The defining moment of his year came at Edgbaston, where his monumental 269 against England rewrote the record books as the highest individual Test score by an Indian captain. Add to that seven international centuries and a Champions Trophy triumph, and Gill has built a near-flawless case.
👉 Verdict: Leadership, volume runs, big races: Gill meets all the requirements and enters the race as the frontrunner.
2. Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan)
If one word defines Salman’s year 2025, it is indispensable. After being handed leadership roles in white-ball cricket, he became Pakistan’s glue across formats, appearing in 56 international matches, more than any other contender on this list. Salman scored 1,569 runs, often in pressure situations, while also contributing with the ball and excelling in the slips – taking 32 Test catches, a remarkable number for a non-specialist fielder.
His Champions Trophy campaign elevated his status even further. Calm under pressure, Salman played the innings of his life with a maiden ODI century (134) against South Africa, guiding Pakistan through a tense chase.
👉 Verdict: His workload, adaptability and leadership under scrutiny make him a serious candidate despite stiff competition.
3. Joe Root (England)
Carrot continues to age like a fine wine. Even after quitting T20Is, his hold on Tests and ODIs in 2025 was so impressive that he still finished with 1,598 international runs, the third highest in the world. This year also saw Root climb further into cricket immortality as he became the second highest run-scorer in Test history. In the ODIs he was unparalleled, scoring 808 runs at an average of 65.77 to top the charts.
His unbeaten 166 against the West Indies was vintage Root: unhurried, technically flawless and utterly ruthless once set. By matching Gill with seven international centuries, Root showed that class is truly permanent.
👉 Verdict: Root’s Bradman-like consistency in the longer formats keeps him firmly in the conversation.
Also READ: Top 5 contenders for ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2025
4. Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)
In a year dominated by batters, Duffy stood tall as the bowler who refused to be overshadowed. He ended 2025 as the highest wicket-taker in international cricket with 81 wickets across formats. Duffy was particularly devastating in Tests, claiming 25 wickets in just four matches at an extraordinary average of 16.28. His ability to extract moves, hit the deck hard and exploit the conditions made him New Zealand’s trump card.
What also set him apart was his impact with a white ball. With 53 T20I wickets, Duffy proved he could adapt seamlessly, whether swinging the new ball or executing clever variations at the death.
👉 Verdict: When matches needed to be turned around, Duffy delivered, making him the standout bowler of 2025.
5. Shai Hope (West Indies)
Hope may not always make headlines, but its numbers in 2025 are impossible to ignore. He finished just four points behind Gill with 1,760 points, making him the second highest points scorer worldwide. Hope played 42 matches, the second most among the contenders, and balanced the dual roles of wicketkeeper and top-order batsman with remarkable composure. He hit five centuries and nine fifties, providing reliability to a West Indian side that was back on its feet.
His value extended beyond statistics. Hope’s calm leadership and match-saving innings – especially during the tough tour of New Zealand – played a major role in the Caribbean’s revival.
👉 Verdict: Consistency, durability and excellence across all formats make Hope a true Sobers Trophy candidate.
Also READ: Top 5 Contenders for ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2025
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