Wisden names Mitchell Starc and Deepti Sharma among Leading Cricketers of the World

The latest edition of the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack hasonce again celebrated the finest performers in world cricket with Mitchell Starc and Deepti Sharma being named the Leading Men’s and Women’s Cricketers of the World respectively. Their recognition comes after exceptional performances across formats which demonstrate their ability to maintain high-level performance throughout their cricketing careers.

Starc achieved success as a bowler during Test matches and the Ashes while Deepti played a crucial role in India’s first-ever achievement of global success. The Wisden honours also reflected a strong Indian presence because multiple players earned recognition for their performances during the 2025 England tour.

Wisden announces prestigious list of leading cricketers globally

The traditional Five Cricketers of the Year award from Wisden recognized exceptional Indian players who also received the main title awards. The England Test series which ended in a 2-2 draw recognized Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj for their exceptional performances.

Haseeb Hameed joined the group because he demonstrated strong leadership skills while maintaining steady performance in county cricket. The awards which editor Lawrence Booth selected recognize the most prestigious achievements in cricket based on player performances during the English summer.

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Gill won the Wisden Trophy for his outstanding performance at Edgbaston where he achieved a match-winning total of 430 runs in a single Test to demonstrate his superior performance throughout the series. Abhishek Sharma received the Leading T20 Cricketer in the World award after a successful year which demonstrated India's expanding power in all cricket formats.

Mitchell Starc and Deepti Sharma shine with standout performances

Mitchell Starc earned the Leading Men’s Cricketer honour after a sensational year in Test cricket. The left-arm pacer achieved 55 wickets through his exceptional performance during the Ashes matches which made him a vital player who helped Australia win.

Deepti Sharma played a crucial role in India's first-ever ODI World Cup victory through her performance in the tournament. She produced essential results through her batting and bowling skills which included a match-winning all-round performance in the final that established her as one of the top all-rounders in the sport.

The 2026 Wisden awards demonstrate how global cricket has transformed since Indian players emerged as major contributors while Starc and Deepti achieved outstanding success during the year.