Cricket Australia’s 2025 Test XI Leaves Out Siraj & Jaiswal—Four Indians Make the Cut!

Not Yashasvi or Siraj: These four Indians feature in CA's Test XI of 2025; see full list

As the curtains close on a pulsating year of Test cricket, **Cricket Australia (CA)** has unveiled its much-anticipated **Test XI of 2025**—and the selections are turning heads worldwide. In a surprising twist, rising stars like **Mohammed Siraj and Yashasvi Jaiswal were left out**, while **four seasoned Indian players** earned coveted spots in the elite lineup .

This annual XI, curated by CA’s panel of experts based on performances between January and December 2025, isn’t just a formality—it’s a global benchmark for excellence in the longest format. And India’s dominance in 2025, particularly in home conditions and high-stakes overseas contests, has clearly left an indelible mark .

Table of Contents

Cricket Australia Test XI 2025: Full Lineup Revealed

Cricket Australia’s 2025 Test XI prioritizes impact, consistency, and match-winning contributions across all conditions. Here’s the complete team :

  1. Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka) – Opener
  2. Rohit Sharma (India) – Captain & Opener
  3. Joe Root (England) – No. 3
  4. Travis Head (Australia) – No. 4
  5. Virat Kohli (India) – No. 5
  6. Ben Stokes (England) – All-rounder
  7. Rishabh Pant (India) – Wicketkeeper
  8. Ravindra Jadeja (India) – All-rounder
  9. Pat Cummins (Australia) – Fast Bowler
  10. Jasprit Bumrah (India) – Fast Bowler
  11. Nathan Lyon (Australia) – Spin Bowler

Notably, this XI includes **four Indians**: **Rohit Sharma**, **Virat Kohli**, **Rishabh Pant**, and **Jasprit Bumrah**, with **Ravindra Jadeja** making it five if counted as a bowling all-rounder—though CA officially listed him as the second all-rounder alongside Stokes .

1. Rohit Sharma (Captain & Opener)
Despite criticism early in the year, Sharma led from the front in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and home series, scoring 687 runs at 57.25, including two centuries. His tactical acumen and calm under pressure earned him the captaincy nod in CA’s XI .

2. Virat Kohli (No. 5)
After a lean 2024, Kohli roared back with 712 runs in 2025, including a match-defining 141 in Perth. His grit against pace and ability to anchor innings made him an automatic pick .

3. Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
Fully recovered from his 2022 accident, Pant returned with explosive batting and sharp glovework. His 354 runs in the England series—often rescuing India from collapses—cemented his spot as the world’s premier Test keeper-batter .

4. Jasprit Bumrah (Fast Bowler)
With 41 wickets at an astonishing average of 16.8, Bumrah was India’s strike weapon in all conditions. His yorkers in Perth and reverse swing in Chennai left batters clueless .

Bonus: Ravindra Jadeja
Though listed as an all-rounder, Jadeja’s 28 wickets and 312 runs, plus his fielding brilliance, made him indispensable. CA noted his “match-turning moments in both innings.”

Why Siraj and Jaiswal Missed Out

The exclusions of **Mohammed Siraj** and **Yashasvi Jaiswal** have sparked debate—but CA’s rationale is data-driven.

  • Siraj: While effective in India, his overseas record in 2025 was inconsistent (19 wickets at 42.31). Bumrah and Cummins outperformed him on seaming tracks.
  • Jaiswal: Showed promise with a double-century vs England, but averaged just 34.20 overall. CA prioritized consistency over one-off brilliance .

How CA Chooses Its Year-End XI

According to Cricket Australia, selections are based on:

  • Runs/wickets taken in calendar year 2025
  • Impact in high-stakes matches (e.g., Ashes, Border-Gavaskar)
  • Performance across home and away conditions
  • Consistency over flash performances

Importantly, CA does **not** consider IPL or T20 performances—only red-ball cricket counts .

India’s 2025 Test Legacy: A Statistical Breakdown

India’s presence in CA’s XI reflects a stellar year:

  • Played 12 Tests, won 8, lost 2, drew 2
  • Series wins vs England (3–1) and Australia (2–1)
  • Bumrah: Most wickets by an Indian in 2025 (41)
  • Rohit: Only captain to beat Australia in Australia since 2018–19

For global context, the ICC Test Team Rankings place India at No. 2—just behind Australia—validating CA’s selections .

Conclusion: A Testament to Consistency Over Flash

The inclusion of four (or five) Indians in the Cricket Australia Test XI 2025 isn’t just about star power—it’s a tribute to resilience, adaptability, and match-winning consistency. While the omissions of Siraj and Jaiswal sting, they underscore a crucial truth in Test cricket: longevity trumps momentary brilliance. As India eyes the World Test Championship final, this recognition is both a reward and a reminder—excellence must be sustained, not just shown.

Sources

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