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In a year that has seen the shortest format of the game reach new heights of power-hitting and tactical mystery, former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Abhinav Mukund<\/strong> has unveiled his Best T20I XI of 2025.<\/p>\n While the list features a heavy presence of Indian stars who dominated the 2025 calendar, the biggest talking point remains the high-profile absence of Jasprit Bumrah<\/strong><\/a>. Despite Bumrah\u2019s impressive show, Mukund has opted for a bowling attack based on current form and the unique impact players have had over the last twelve months. The lineup is a blend of explosive opening power, middle-order stability, and a bowling unit that features some of the most successful \u201cresurgent\u201d stars of 2025.<\/p>\n Mukund\u2019s opening duo reflects the \u201cfearless\u201d brand of cricket that defined 2025. Abhishek Sharma<\/strong> takes the pole position after a record-breaking year where he hammered a massive 135 off 54 balls against England. Partnering him is Sri Lanka\u2019s Pathum Nissanka<\/strong>, who has been a model of consistency, finishing the year with 2,345 career T20I runs and a brilliant 107 against India in the Asia Cup.<\/p>\n England\u2019s Jos Buttler<\/strong> occupies the number three spot. Even as he balances national duty with the IPL, Buttler\u2019s 2025 T20I strike rate remained formidable at nearly 149, providing the perfect bridge between the powerplay and the middle overs.<\/p>\n The middle order is dominated by India\u2019s new-age superstars. Tilak Varma<\/strong> finds a spot after a prolific year, highlighted by a stunning 73 off 42 against South Africa in December. He is followed by the \u201cfinisher\u201d duo of Tim David<\/strong> and South African sensation Dewald Brevis<\/strong>. Brevis, nicknamed \u201cBaby AB,\u201d truly arrived on the international stage in 2025, breaking records with an unbeaten 125 off 56 balls* against Australia\u2014the highest individual T20I score for South Africa.<\/p>\n Leading the all-round department is Hardik Pandya<\/strong><\/a>, who enjoyed a vintage 2025. Pandya surpassed Yuvraj Singh<\/strong>\u2019s record for the most \u201c50+ runs and 1+ wicket\u201d doubles in T20Is, ending his December series against the Proteas with 142 runs at a staggering strike rate of 186.84.<\/p>\n Also READ: Harsha Bhogle picks Test Team of the Year 2025, Pat Cummins named captain<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The most controversial aspect of the XI is the omission of Bumrah. Instead, Mukund has rewarded the sheer wicket-taking volume of New Zealand\u2019s Jacob Duffy<\/strong> and India\u2019s Varun Chakaravarthy<\/strong>. Notably, Bumrah had a strong year in T20Is in 2025, becoming only the second Indian to reach the 100-wicket milestone and performing exceptionally well in various series. He finished the year as India\u2019s third-highest T20I wicket-taker.<\/p>\n Chakaravarthy also had a phenomenal year in T20Is in 2025, finishing as India\u2019s leading wicket-taker and the joint-highest among all Test-playing nations with 36 wickets. His stellar performance made him the No. 1 ranked T20I bowler in the world and earned him the Player of the Series award in the home series against South Africa. Duffy, too, rose to become the World No. 1 T20I bowler in April 2025, following a demolition of Pakistan where he took 4\/14.\u00a0 His impressive performance made him the first Kiwi bowler to claim over 30 T20I wickets in a calendar year. Mukund also went with Mohammad Nawaz<\/strong> and Mustafizur Rahman<\/strong> to complete his bowling attack.<\/p>\n Abhinav Mukund\u2019s best T20I XI of 2025:<\/strong> Abhishek Sharma, Pathum Nisaanka, Jos Buttler, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Dewald Brevis, Hardik Pandya, Mohammad Nawaz, Jacob Duffy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mustafizur Rahman<\/p>\nEx-cricketer reveals his best XI of T20I format for 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Solid top-order ft. Abhishek Sharma<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Young guns and all-round depth<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The Jasprit Bumrah-less bowling attack<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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