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Former India batter Abhinav Mukund has unveiled his Men’s ODI Team of the Year for 2025, featuring a star-studded XI led by Rohit Sharma and anchored by Virat Kohli, but with no room for New Zealand’s in-form middle-order force Daryl Mitchell. The line-up, packed with run machines and wicket-takers from India, New Zealand, England, South Africa and West Indies, heavily rewards Champions Trophy 2025 performances and season-long consistency across conditions.
No place for Daryl Mitchell despite standout year
Mukund’s XI was always going to be a tight squeeze in the middle order, and Mitchell is arguably the biggest name to miss out after another influential year in ODIs for New Zealand. The Black Caps star played a key role in the Champions Trophy final, crafting a crucial half-century in Dubai to set up a competitive total against India, yet still could not edge into Mukund’s chosen four-man core of Kohli, Matthew Breetzke, KL Rahul and all-rounder Michael Bracewell.
Mitchell’s omission underlines how strongly Mukund has weighted all-round balance and pure statistical dominance in 2025. With Rachin Ravindra already locking one New Zealand batting spot as Player of the Tournament in the Champions Trophy and a prolific season overall, there was limited space left once the Indian stalwarts and South Africa’s new “Mr Consistency” Breetzke were pencilled in. The decision effectively signals that, in Mukund’s eyes, Ravindra’s explosive run-scoring and the three-spinner template of Bracewell, Santner and Adil Rashid gave New Zealand and England’s all-round spin options more value than adding another specialist middle-order batter like Mitchell in this particular XI.
Ex-cricketer reveals his best ODI XI of 2025
Mukund’s team blends proven big-tournament temperament with 2025 form, starting at the top with India’s captain Rohit and New Zealand’s breakout star Ravindra.
1. Rohit Sharma (c) – opener
Rohit enjoyed a vintage year in ODIs, scoring 650 runs in 14 innings at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 100.46, smashing two centuries and four fifties while also lifting the Champions Trophy as India’s captain.
Rohit Sharma in 2025: 14 matches | 650 runs | 100.46 strike rate
2. Rachin Ravindra – opener
Ravindra was the heartbeat of New Zealand’s top order, finishing 2025 with 604 ODI runs at an average of 43.14 and a blistering strike rate of 106.90, including multiple centuries and the Player of the Tournament award at the Champions Trophy with 263 runs at 65.75.
Rachin Ravindra in 2025: 14 matches | 604 runs | 106.90 strike rate
3. Virat Kohli – No.3
Kohli produced yet another dominant ODI year, piling up runs at an average of over 65 with a strike rate of 96.15 in 13 matches, reaffirming his status as the lynchpin at one-down in pressure chases and big tournaments.
Virat Kohli in 2025: 13 matches | 651 runs | 96.15 strike rate
4. Matthew Breetzke – No.4
South African batter Breetzke emerged as one of 2025’s biggest revelations, registering more than 700 runs in just 12 ODIs at an average of 64.18 and a strike rate of 96.71, with one century and six fifties in a superb debut year.
Matthew Breetzke in 2025: 12 matches | 706 runs | 96.71 strike rate
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5. KL Rahul (wk) – No.5/6, wicketkeeper
KL Rahul provided flexibility and calm to India’s middle order, amassing 367 runs in 2025 at an average of 52.42 and an impressive strike rate close to 108 while also taking the gloves, which convinced Mukund to use him as the designated wicketkeeper in this XI.
KL Rahul in 2025: 14 matches (ODIs) | 367 runs | 107.94 strike rate
6. Michael Bracewell – No.6, batting all-rounder
Bracewell reinforced his reputation as a high-impact all-rounder, contributing vital runs through the middle overs and delivering key breakthroughs with his off-spin during New Zealand’s run to the Champions Trophy final.
Michael Bracewell in 2025 (ODIs): 18 matches (ODIs) | 368 runs | 98.92 strike rate
7. Mitchell Santner – No.7, bowling all-rounder
Santner provided control, variations and lower-order stability, playing a “massive role” in New Zealand’s attack; he finished among the leading ODI wicket-takers in 2025 with 25 wickets while operating as a containing left-arm spinner.
Mitchell Santner in 2025: 17 matches | 25 wickets | 3/41 BBI
8. Adil Rashid – No.8, leg-spinner
England’s Rashid gave Mukund a third frontline spin option, collecting 30 wickets in 15 ODIs at an outstanding level of consistency to remain one of the world’s premier limited-overs leg-spinners through the year.
Adil Rashid in 2025: 15 matches | 30 wickets | 4/63 BBI
9. Matt Henry – No.9, fast bowler
Henry topped the ODI wicket charts in 2025, taking 31 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 18.58, repeatedly providing new-ball strikes and death-overs reliability for New Zealand.
Matt Henry in 2025: 13 matches | 31 wickets | 5/42 BBI
10. Jayden Seales – No.10, fast bowler
West Indies pacer Jayden Seales continued his rapid rise, grabbing 27 wickets in 12 ODIs at an average of 18.14, including a devastating six-wicket haul that underlined his status as one of the most exciting young quicks in the format.
Jayden Seales in 2025: 12 matches | 27 wickets | 6/18 BBI
11. Jofra Archer – No.11, fast bowler
Completing the XI, Jofra Archer’s raw pace and accuracy earned him 18 wickets in nine ODIs at an average of 22.44 and an economy rate of just 5.05, making him the ideal enforcer and death-overs specialist in Mukund’s set-up.
Jofra Archer in 2025: 9 matches | 18 wickets | 4/18 BBI
Also READ: Top 5 contenders for the 2025 ICC Cricketer of the Year Award
