<p>The year 2025 witnessed the rise of several outstanding performers across formats, with many players producing exceptional displays in T20 internationals. With the 2026 T20 World Cup just weeks away, the form shown by players over the past year has been both eye-catching and crucial in shaping expectations for the marquee event.</p>
<p>As a fantastic year, filled with riveting action in the shortest form of international cricket, winds down, CricTracker has a look at the best performing players from the calendar year. We have tried making the best Playing XI, picking the top performers in their respective departments from around the globe.</p>
<h2>Here's CricTracker's T20I team of the year 2025</h2>
<h3>Top-Order: Abhishek Sharma, Brian Bennett, Jos Buttler (C&amp;WK)</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1762596971661_Abhishek-Sharma.jpeg" alt="Abhishek Sharma" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Abhishek Sharma. (Photo source: Santanu Banik/MB Media/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Indian opener <a href="https://crictracker.com/cricket-players/abhishek-sharma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Abhishek Sharma</strong></a> was simply unstoppable in the shortest format in 2025. He amassed 859 runs in 21 matches at an impressive average of 42.95 while striking at a phenomenal rate of 193.46. His tally included one century and five half-centuries, underlining his dominance at the top of the order.</p>
<p>Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett earns the other opening slot after a remarkable year. Representing an underdog nation, Bennett scored 936 runs in 25 games, including one century and six fifties. Meanwhile, Jos Buttler takes on the dual role of captain and wicketkeeper. He scored 480 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 164.38, including three half-centuries. His leadership and ability to accelerate from powerplays to the middle overs as well.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>Middle-Order: Tilak Varma, Tim David</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1753502027298_Tim-David.jpeg" alt="Tim David" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Tim David (Source: RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>At number four is India’s <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/tilak-varma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tilak Varma</strong></a>, who displayed remarkable adaptability by batting across multiple positions. He scored 567 runs in 18 innings, including four half-centuries. One of his standout performances came in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, where he delivered under pressure on the biggest stage.</p>
<p>Australia’s <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/tim-david/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tim David</strong></a> slots in as the power-hitter in the middle order. He scored 395 runs in just 10 innings, including one century and three fifties. Batting primarily in the middle order, his explosive contributions often changed the course of matches within a few overs.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Nawaz</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1720957566505_SIKANDAR-RAZA.jpeg" alt="Sikandar Raza" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Sikandar Raza. (Source - Zimbabwe Cricket)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/hardik-pandya/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hardik Pandya</strong></a> headlines the all-rounders list. Despite battling injuries during the year, he made a strong comeback, scoring 302 runs in 12 innings and picking up 12 wickets. Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza continues to be the backbone of his team. In 2025, he scored 536 runs and claimed 23 wickets, frequently carrying the side with both bat and ball.</p>
<p>Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz completes the all-rounders trio. He enjoyed a stellar year, scoring 362 runs and taking an astonishing 36 wickets at an average of 13.61, making him one of the most effective performers in world cricket.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Jacob Duffy, Mustafizur Rahman</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1755603316819_Varun-Chakravarthy.jpeg" alt="Varun Chakravarthy" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Varun Chakravarthy (Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>India’s mystery spinner <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/varun-chakravarthy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Varun Chakravarthy</strong></a> leads the bowling attack. He picked up 36 wickets in 18 innings at an economy rate of 7.08, consistently strangling batters during the middle overs. New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy impressed with his consistency, claiming 35 wickets in 21 matches during a strong season across formats.</p>
<p>Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman completes the XI after taking 26 wickets in 20 games with his trademark cutters. Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain is named as the 12th man, having taken 33 wickets and pushing hard for a place in the XI.</p>
<hr>
<h3>T20I team of the year</h3>
<p>Abhishek Sharma, Brian Bennett, Tilak Varma, <a href="https://crictracker.com/cricket-players/jos-buttler/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jos Buttler</strong></a> (C &amp; WK), Tim David, Hardik Pandya, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Nawaz, Varun Chakravarthy, Jacob Duffy, Mustafizur Rahman,</p>
<p>12th Man: Rishad Hossain</p>

<p>The year 2025 witnessed the rise of several outstanding performers across formats, with many players producing exceptional displays in T20 internationals. With the 2026 T20 World Cup just weeks away, the form shown by players over the past year has been both eye-catching and crucial in shaping expectations for the marquee event.</p>
<p>As a fantastic year, filled with riveting action in the shortest form of international cricket, winds down, CricTracker has a look at the best performing players from the calendar year. We have tried making the best Playing XI, picking the top performers in their respective departments from around the globe.</p>
<h2>Here's CricTracker's T20I team of the year 2025</h2>
<h3>Top-Order: Abhishek Sharma, Brian Bennett, Jos Buttler (C&amp;WK)</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1762596971661_Abhishek-Sharma.jpeg" alt="Abhishek Sharma" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Abhishek Sharma. (Photo source: Santanu Banik/MB Media/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Indian opener <a href="https://crictracker.com/cricket-players/abhishek-sharma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Abhishek Sharma</strong></a> was simply unstoppable in the shortest format in 2025. He amassed 859 runs in 21 matches at an impressive average of 42.95 while striking at a phenomenal rate of 193.46. His tally included one century and five half-centuries, underlining his dominance at the top of the order.</p>
<p>Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett earns the other opening slot after a remarkable year. Representing an underdog nation, Bennett scored 936 runs in 25 games, including one century and six fifties. Meanwhile, Jos Buttler takes on the dual role of captain and wicketkeeper. He scored 480 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 164.38, including three half-centuries. His leadership and ability to accelerate from powerplays to the middle overs as well.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>Middle-Order: Tilak Varma, Tim David</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1753502027298_Tim-David.jpeg" alt="Tim David" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Tim David (Source: RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>At number four is India’s <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/tilak-varma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tilak Varma</strong></a>, who displayed remarkable adaptability by batting across multiple positions. He scored 567 runs in 18 innings, including four half-centuries. One of his standout performances came in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, where he delivered under pressure on the biggest stage.</p>
<p>Australia’s <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/tim-david/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tim David</strong></a> slots in as the power-hitter in the middle order. He scored 395 runs in just 10 innings, including one century and three fifties. Batting primarily in the middle order, his explosive contributions often changed the course of matches within a few overs.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Nawaz</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1720957566505_SIKANDAR-RAZA.jpeg" alt="Sikandar Raza" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Sikandar Raza. (Source - Zimbabwe Cricket)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/hardik-pandya/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hardik Pandya</strong></a> headlines the all-rounders list. Despite battling injuries during the year, he made a strong comeback, scoring 302 runs in 12 innings and picking up 12 wickets. Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza continues to be the backbone of his team. In 2025, he scored 536 runs and claimed 23 wickets, frequently carrying the side with both bat and ball.</p>
<p>Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz completes the all-rounders trio. He enjoyed a stellar year, scoring 362 runs and taking an astonishing 36 wickets at an average of 13.61, making him one of the most effective performers in world cricket.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Jacob Duffy, Mustafizur Rahman</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1755603316819_Varun-Chakravarthy.jpeg" alt="Varun Chakravarthy" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Varun Chakravarthy (Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>India’s mystery spinner <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/varun-chakravarthy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Varun Chakravarthy</strong></a> leads the bowling attack. He picked up 36 wickets in 18 innings at an economy rate of 7.08, consistently strangling batters during the middle overs. New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy impressed with his consistency, claiming 35 wickets in 21 matches during a strong season across formats.</p>
<p>Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman completes the XI after taking 26 wickets in 20 games with his trademark cutters. Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain is named as the 12th man, having taken 33 wickets and pushing hard for a place in the XI.</p>
<hr>
<h3>T20I team of the year</h3>
<p>Abhishek Sharma, Brian Bennett, Tilak Varma, <a href="https://crictracker.com/cricket-players/jos-buttler/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jos Buttler</strong></a> (C &amp; WK), Tim David, Hardik Pandya, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Nawaz, Varun Chakravarthy, Jacob Duffy, Mustafizur Rahman,</p>
<p>12th Man: Rishad Hossain</p>

The year 2025 witnessed the rise of several outstanding performers across formats, with many players producing exceptional displays in T20 internationals. With the 2026 T20 World Cup just weeks away,

T20I Team of the year 2025

Let us take a look at T20I team of the year 2025.

T20I team of the year 2025

Check out the T20I Team of the Year 2025, the best XI players who dominated international cricket across the calendar year, only on CricTracker