Jasprit Bumrah finished 2025 as the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, according to the latest ICC Test rankings released on December 31. The Indian pace spearhead capped off a remarkable year in red-ball cricket, maintaining his grip on the No 1 position with an impressive 879 rating points.
Bumrah’s consistency across conditions and his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments have set him apart from the rest of the bowling pack.
Throughout the year, the 32-year-old has been India’s most reliable match-winner in Tests, underlining why he continues to dominate the ICC rankings.
Australia’s Mitchell Starc has emerged as Bumrah’s closest challenger, climbing to second place with 843 rating points.
The left-arm fast bowler has been in sensational form during the ongoing Ashes 2025–26 series, where he currently leads the wicket-taking charts with 26 scalps.
Starc’s rise was further boosted by a strong performance in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he picked up four wickets across two innings.
Despite Starc’s surge, Bumrah’s top position appears secure for the time being. Australia is not scheduled to play Test cricket in the immediate future, limiting Starc’s opportunities to add to his rating points.
As a result, Bumrah continues to hold a firm lead at the summit of the Test bowling rankings.
The latest rankings also saw notable movement among other Australian bowlers. Captain Pat Cummins slipped two places to fourth, having missed the Boxing Day Test. However, Australia’s pace depth remained evident as Scott Boland climbed two spots to seventh, further strengthening their presence in the top 10.
England’s bowlers also made significant gains following strong performances in the Ashes. Gus Atkinson moved up four places to 12th, while Brydon Carse jumped six spots to 23rd.
The biggest mover was Josh Tongue, who leapt 13 positions into the top 30 after a five-wicket haul and a Player of the Match performance at the MCG.
With his sustained excellence and a healthy lead in rating points, Jasprit Bumrah remains the benchmark for fast bowling in Test cricket, firmly holding onto his No 1 ranking as the new year begins.
