Building the ultimate World Test XI is never about reputation alone. The real filters are form, quality of opposition, and performance relative to batting position. Using those principles, this World Test XI reflects the most impactful performers across the year.
At the top, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Travis Head stand out among openers, delivering runs consistently against varied attacks, with Head especially dominating England at a rapid strike rate. Joe Root remains the gold standard at No.3, combining volume, consistency, and adaptability.
The middle order balances explosiveness and stability. Shubman Gill takes No.4 after an exceptional year, scoring five hundreds in just 13 innings, including a defining England tour. Rishabh Pant features for his dual impact, while Alex Carey edges out the competition at No. 6 with reliable returns across conditions. Ravindra Jadeja is an automatic pick at No.7 after producing elite numbers with both bat and ball.
The lower order is powered by Mitchell Starc’s wicket-taking and batting heroics, Marco Jansen’s decisive all-round impact, and Mohammed Siraj’s relentless consistency during the England tour of India. Nathan Lyon completes the XI with match-winning spells in high-pressure games.
This ultimate Test XI for 2025 rewards performances, not hype.
