In the editorial, 2024 was described as the year cricket lost any claim to proper administration.
Jasprit Bumrah has been named Leading Men’s Cricketer in the World in the 2025 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, widely hailed as the Bible of Cricket. The honour follows a historic year for the Indian pacer, who dominated in both red and white-ball formats.
In 2024, Bumrah claimed 71 Test wickets at a jaw-dropping average below 15 and was crowned Player of the Tournament as India lifted the T20 World Cup in the West Indies. Despite India losing the Test series 3-1 in Australia, Bumrah’s brilliance stood out. He took 32 wickets at an average of 13, with Wisden editor Lawrence Booth calling him “quite simply the star of the year.”
Booth praised Bumrah’s bowling as “a staccato of limbs somehow forming a symphony,” and noted that runs scored off him should have “counted double.” With 200 Test wickets at an average under 20, Bumrah is now in the conversation for the greatest pacer of all time.
On the women’s side, Smriti Mandhana earned the title of Leading Women’s Cricketer of the Year, after racking up a record 1,659 international runs — the highest ever by a woman in a calendar year.
West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran was named Leading T20 Cricketer in the World for his explosive performances.
In a bold editorial note, Booth also criticised the growing power of Indian cricket, calling 2024 “the year cricket gave up any claim to being properly administered,” referring to Jay Shah’s rise from Indian cricket’s top role to ICC chairman.
The Almanack also honoured five standout performers from the English season as Cricketers of the Year: Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, Sophie Ecclestone, Liam Dawson, and Dan Worrall.