East India batsman Abhinav Mukund has unveiled it Men’s ODI Team of the Year for 2025Featuring a star-studded XI led by Rohit Sharma and anchored by Virat Kohli, But there is no room for New Zealand’s in-form middle-order strength darryl mitchellThe line-up is full of run machines and wicket-takers India, New Zealand, England, South Africa And west indieshuge prize champions trophy 2025 Performance and season-long consistency in a variety of conditions
No room for Daryl Mitchell despite extraordinary year
The middle order was always going to be a tough challenge for Mukund’s XI, and Mitchell is certainly the biggest name to miss after another impressive year in ODIs for New Zealand. The Black Caps star played a key role in the Champions Trophy final, scoring a crucial half-century to set up a competitive total against India in Dubai, yet he could not get the upper hand in Mukund’s chosen four-man Kohli core. Matthew Britzke, KL Rahul and all-rounder Michael Bracewell.
Mitchell’s omission underlines how strongly Mukund values overall balance and pure statistical dominance in 2025. Rachin Ravindra New Zealand’s batting has already sealed a spot as the best player of the tournament in the Champions Trophy and overall it has been a fantastic season, once the Indian giants and South Africa’s new “Mr Consistency” Britzke were included, there was limited space left. The decision effectively signals that, in Mukund’s eyes, Ravindra’s explosive run-scoring and Bracewell, Santner and the three-spinner are the template. adil rashid New Zealand and England’s all-round spin options were given more importance than the inclusion of another specialist middle-order batsman like Mitchell in this particular XI.
Former cricketer reveals his best ODI XI of 2025
Mukund’s team has a mix of proven big tournament flair with 2025 form, starting with India captain Rohit and New Zealand’s breakout star Ravindra at the top.
1. Rohit Sharma (C) – Opening Batsman
Rohit enjoyed a stellar year in ODIs, scoring 650 runs in 14 innings at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 100.46, scoring two centuries and four fifties while also winning the Champions Trophy as India captain.
Rohit Sharma in 2025: 14 matches | 650 runs 100.46 strike rate
2. Rachin Ravindra- Opening batsman
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 several centuries, and won the Player of the Tournament award in the Champions Trophy after scoring 263 runs at an average of 65.75.
Rachin Ravindra in 2025: 14 matches | 604 runs 106.90 strike rate
3. Virat Kohli – Number 3
Kohli had another impressive ODI year, scoring an average of over 65 with a strike rate of 96.15 in 13 matches, confirming his status as the lynchpin of pressure chases and one-downs in big tournaments.
Virat Kohli in 2025: 13 matches | 651 runs 96.15 strike rate
4. Matthew Britzke – No. 4
South African batsman Bretzke emerged as one of the biggest revelations of 2025, scoring over 700 runs in just 12 ODIs at an average of 64.18 and a strike rate of 96.71, including a century and six fifties in a stellar debut year.
Matthew Britzke in 2025: 12 matches | 706 runs 96.71 strike rate
Also read: Former cricketer chooses the best T20I XI of 2025, no place for Jasprit Bumrah
5. KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper) – No. 5/6, Wicketkeeper
KL Rahul provided flexibility and calmness to India’s middle order, scoring 367 runs in 2025 at an average of 52.42 and an impressive strike rate of close to 108, along with the gloves, which convinced Mukund to use him as the designated wicketkeeper in this XI.
KL Rahul in 2025: 14 matches (ODI) | 367 runs 107.94 strike rate
6. Michael Bracewell – No. 6, Batting all-rounder
Bracewell cemented his reputation as a high-impact all-rounder, scoring vital runs in the middle overs and producing key breakthroughs with his off-spin in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy final.
Michael Bracewell (ODI) in 2025: 18 matches (ODI) | 368 runs 98.92 strike rate
7. Mitchell Santner – No. 7, bowling all-rounder
Santner played a “big role” in New Zealand’s attack, providing control, variations and lower-order stability; Operating as a left-arm spinner, he remained one of the leading ODI wicket-takers in 2025 with 25 wickets.
Mitchell Santner in 2025: 17 matches | 25 wickets 3/41 BBI
8. Adil Rashid – No. 8, Leg Spinner
England’s Rashid provided Mukund with the third frontline spin option, and took 30 wickets in 15 ODIs at an excellent level of consistency to remain one of the world’s leading limited-overs leg spinners throughout 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, and repeatedly provided New Zealand with reliability in the strike and death overs with the new ball.
Matt Henry in 2025: 13 matches | 31 wickets 5/42 BBI
10.Jaden Seales – No. 10, fast bowler
West Indies fast bowler jaden seals He quickly continued his progress and took 27 wickets at an average of 18.14 in 12 ODIs, including a devastating six-for, which underlined his status as one of the most exciting young fast bowlers in the format.
Jaden Seals in 2025: 12 matches | 27 wickets 6/18 BBI
11. Joffra Archer- No. 11, fast bowler
completing XI, jofra archerHis raw pace and accuracy saw him take 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 over specialist in Mukund’s set-up.
Jofra Archer in 2025: 9 matches | 18 wickets 4/18 BBI
Also read: Top 5 contenders for 2025 ICC Cricketer of the Year Award