Cricket in 2025 was all about the noise, the spotlight, and the conversations that never really stopped; whether you were at a stadium, scrolling through Instagram, or glued to a late-night highlight reel.
Some names just kept coming up. They were the match-winners, the record-breakers, the faces fans couldn’t stop following.
Here’s a look at the top cricketers who ruled the talk in 2025, not by chance, but by putting on a show, staying relevant, and connecting with fans on every level.
1. Virat Kohli
Even after stepping away from Test cricket in May 2025, Virat Kohli was everywhere. From mainstream cricketing forums to fringe platforms like Leon, Kohli’s name was used in promotional campaigns. If cricket had a face in 2025, it was still his.
With over 273 million Instagram followers, the kind of reach he had off the field was unmatched, and on the field, he wasn’t slowing down either.
Why Everyone Was Talking
- Scored 657 runs in IPL 2025 for Royal Challengers Bangalore at an average of 54.75.
- Became the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs, joining only Tendulkar and Sangakkara in that elite club.
- Crushed 51 ODI centuries, setting a new all-time record.
Kohli’s 84-run knock in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia had fans calling it one of his best innings under pressure. The “Chase Master” lived up to his name once again.
| Stat | Value |
| ODI Centuries | 51 |
| IPL 2025 Runs | 657 (Avg: 54.75) |
| Instagram Followers | 273 million |
2. MS Dhoni
He may have retired from international cricket years ago, but MS Dhoni remains a headline magnet.
In 2025, he continued captaining Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, and if social media chatter is anything to go by, fans still saw him as their leader.
Why Everyone Was Talking
- Led CSK with his trademark calm and precision.
- Was the most talked-about Indian personality on X in March 2025.
- Maintained a strong digital presence with 50 million Instagram followers.
Even without international duties, Dhoni had a strong hold on the cricket narrative.
| Stat | Value |
| Instagram Followers | 50 million |
| Total Matches | 538 (Intl) |
| IPL Team | Chennai Super Kings |
3. Jasprit Bumrah
If 2024 was Jasprit Bumrah’s year, then 2025 was the encore. His ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year award (for 2024) was announced in January, and the talk didn’t stop there.
Bumrah became the first Indian pacer to receive the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, and he owned it.
Why Everyone Was Talking
- Took 71 Test wickets in 2024 at a staggering average of 14.92.
- Delivered for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 with 12 wickets in 12 games.
- Claimed 32 wickets against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series at just over 13 a piece.
His consistency across formats turned him into the gold standard for fast bowling in 2025.
| Stat | Value |
| Test Wickets (2024) | 71 (Avg: 14.92) |
| IPL 2025 Wickets | 12 (Avg: 17.55) |
| Awards | ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, Polly Umrigar Award |
4. Smriti Mandhana
View this post on Instagram
Smriti Mandhana was the headline act for Indian women’s cricket in 2025. Stylish yet aggressive, she dominated the ODI charts and picked up accolades that solidified her place among the all-time greats.
Why Everyone Was Talking
- Scored 747 ODI runs in 2024, averaging 57.46, with four centuries, a record.
- Named ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year and BCCI’s Best International Women’s Cricketer in 2025.
- Played a vital role in India’s Women’s Championship campaign.
Mandhana’s strokeplay and consistency made her an inspiration, not just in India, but around the world.
| Stat | Value |
| ODI Runs (2024) | 747 (Avg: 57.46) |
| ODI Centuries | 4 |
| Awards | BCCI Best Women’s Cricketer, ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year |
5. Babar Azam
Babar Azam led Pakistan into the Champions Trophy final and stayed among the top-ranked ODI batters.
Fans praised not only his captaincy but also his ability to anchor and accelerate, often in the same innings.
Why Everyone Was Talking
- Guided Pakistan to the Champions Trophy final with clutch performances.
- Named in the Team of the Tournament by the ICC.
- He has over 6 million Instagram followers, continuing to expand his global appeal.
Babar showed that leadership and artistry with the bat could go hand in hand.
| Stat | Value |
| Instagram Followers | 6 million |
| Total International Matches | 250+ |
| Captaincy Role | Pakistan |
6. Steve Smith
@primevideosportaunz How good is it to have Steve Smith back in the team 😍🔥 We’re hoping for a couple of bat raises against the West Indies 🤩🏏 #cricket #SteveSmith #cricketicons #GOAT #WIvAUS #AustralianCricketTeam ♬ original sound – Primevideosportaunz
2025 marked the end of Steve Smith’s ODI career, and fans had plenty to say about it.
Smith walked away with 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28, and his exit post-Champions Trophy sparked a wave of tributes.
Why Everyone Was Talking
- Retired from ODIs after the Champions Trophy.
- Remained active in Tests and T20s, still delivering classy knocks.
- Remembered for his grit and eccentric brilliance.
| Stat | Value |
| ODI Runs | 5,800 (Avg: 43.28) |
| ODI Centuries | 12 |
| Formats Played (2025) | Test, T20 |
7. Shubman Gill
If there was a breakout superstar in 2025, it was Shubman Gill. His Champions Trophy performance, capped by a Player of the Series award, made it clear he was ready to carry India’s top-order hopes.
Why Everyone Was Talking
- Scored 259 runs at 86.33 in the Champions Trophy, including a century.
- Helped Gujarat Titans with steady performances in IPL 2025.
- Seen as a future leader, both on and off the pitch.
Gill’s confidence and maturity at the crease won hearts and matches alike.
| Stat | Value |
| ODI Runs (2025) | 259 (Avg: 86.33) |
| ODI Centuries | 1 |
| Award | Player of the Series, Champions Trophy |
8. Rachin Ravindra
Another ICC ODI event, another century for Rachin Ravindra! At the age of just 25 he has now scored more centuries at ICC ODI events (4) than any other New Zealand men’s player ✍️ #ChampionsTrophy #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/Mm1BuJeUfT
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 24, 2025
Rachin Ravindra quietly turned into a star in 2025. His name echoed across global cricket boards after a sensational run in the Champions Trophy.
Why Everyone Was Talking
- Named Player of the Tournament in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
- Made vital contributions with both bat and ball.
- Drafted by Trent Rockets in The Hundred 2025.
Rachin was the heartbeat of New Zealand’s tournament success and proved his value across continents.
| Stat | Value |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Highlight | Player of the Tournament, Champions Trophy |
| The Hundred | Signed by Trent Rockets |
9. Travis Head
Travis Head had a beast of a year in 2024, and it rolled right into 2025. With awards stacking up and clutch knocks across formats, he became one of Australia’s most valuable players.
Why Everyone Was Talking
- Won the Allan Border Medal and Men’s ODI Player of the Year at the Australian Cricket Awards 2025.
- Scored 1,427 runs in 2024, including four centuries.
- Played critical innings in World Test Championship matches.
Head’s aggressive yet reliable approach kept Australia on the front foot.
| Stat | Value |
| Runs (2024) | 1,427 (4 centuries) |
| Awards | Allan Border Medal 2025, ODI Player of the Year |
10. Amelia Kerr
Amelia Kerr kept pushing boundaries in 2025. Her all-round performances were instrumental in New Zealand’s T20 success, and her ICC awards made her one of the sport’s most decorated athletes of the year.
Why Everyone Was Talking
- Won the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year and Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year for 2024 (announced in 2025).
- Consistently delivered with both bat and ball.
- Became a central figure in New Zealand’s international success.
Kerr’s rise wasn’t just about stats; it was about setting new standards.
| Stat | Value |
| Key Awards | ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, T20I Cricketer of the Year |
| Team | New Zealand |
What Drove the Chatter in 2025?
Social Media Buzz
Platforms like Instagram and X shaped the spotlight in 2025. Kohli’s every selfie, Dhoni’s calm stares from the dugout, and Bumrah’s post-match insights triggered hundreds of thousands of reactions. Influencers and fan accounts (@CricCrazyJohns, @ImTanujSingh) constantly fed the cycle.
Big Tournaments
The ICC Champions Trophy was the stage for fireworks, with players like Babar, Gill, and Ravindra emerging as the most discussed.
And the IPL, with its ₹27 crore price tag for Rishabh Pant, kept the drama going well into the summer.
Awards Season
The ICC and BCCI awards helped draw attention to year-long performances, giving fans and media plenty to talk about. The recognition of players like Bumrah, Mandhana, and Kerr fueled major conversations.
Major Retirements
Whites off, crown intact 👑
Virat Kohli bids goodbye to Test cricket, leaving behind an unmatched legacy 👏
✍️: https://t.co/VjuXwUrl8P pic.twitter.com/6apbXkubQ0
— ICC (@ICC) May 12, 2025
The exits of Kohli (from Tests), Smith (from ODIs), and others like Rohit Sharma, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis turned social media into a memorial wall of memories, videos, and tributes.
Final Thoughts
2025 gave us more than just cricket. It gave us legends bowing out, stars being born, and matches that turned into memories.
Deepak Hooda quietly carved out his own space with clutch middle-order knocks that didn’t go unnoticed.
There’s no official score for who got talked about most. But if conversation is currency in the modern game, these cricketers cashed in big. And based on how things look, we’re not done hearing their names anytime soon.
