This former Indian batsman chose the best Test XI of 2025, not Rishabh Pant, this Australian wicketkeeper got the place.

By Samira Vishwas On Dec 27, 2025

The calendar year 2025 was very exciting in terms of Test cricket and many players performed consistently. In this series, former Indian batsman Abhinav Mukund has selected the best Test XI of the year during a show on Star Sports, in which a total of five Indian players have got a place.

As wicketkeeper, Mukund chose Australia’s Alex Carey instead of India’s Rishabh Pant. In the year 2025, Pant scored 629 runs in 13 innings at an average of 48.38, which included two centuries and four half-centuries, but despite this he could not get a place in this team.

KL Rahul and England’s Ben Duckett have been selected as the opening pair. Rahul scored runs consistently for India throughout the year, while Duckett also made his presence felt in Test cricket.

The captaincy of the team has been handed over to Temba Bavuma of South Africa, who led his team to the World Test Championship title in 2025. Along with this, Abhinav Mukund also included another player of the South Africa team, Simon Harmer, in his team as a spin bowler. Indian captain Shubman Gill has also been included in this team, who is currently the highest run-scorer in Test cricket in the year 2025.

In the bowling department, India’s star bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have got a place as fast bowlers, while Australia’s Mitchell Starc is also a part of this team. Ravindra Jadeja has been selected as an all-rounder, who made excellent contributions with both bat and ball.

Abhinav Mukund’s Best Test XI (2025)

KL Rahul, Ben Duckett, Temba Bavuma (captain), Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Simon Harmer, Mitchell Starc, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.