INDIAN CRICKET ENJOYED a landmark moment on the global stage as players from the country dominated the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2026 honours, securing seven out of nine major awards in what is being seen as a historic achievement.
Indian players swept the majority of top honours across formats:
- Deepti Sharma: Women’s Cricketer of the Year
- Abhishek Sharma: Leading T20 Cricketer in the World
- Four Indians in Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year:
- Shubman Gill
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Rishabh Pant
- Mohammed Siraj
This dominance meant that India accounted for four of the five elite annual selections, underlining its impact in Test cricket as well. The Wisden Almanack, first published in 1864 and widely regarded as the “Bible of cricket,” annually recognises the best performances across formats worldwide.
At the forefront of India’s success was Shubman Gill, who capped a remarkable year:
- Named among Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year
- Awarded the Wisden Trophy for outstanding Test performance
- Scored 754 runs at an average of 75.40 in the England series
- Produced a memorable 269 and 161 at Edgbaston
Gill’s performances were central to India’s hard-fought Test series draw in England, a key factor behind multiple Indian selections.
Despite India’s dominance, a few global stars featured:
- Mitchell Starc (Australia): Men’s Cricketer of the Year
- Haseeb Hameed (England): Included among Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year
However, the overwhelming Indian presence highlighted a shift in cricketing power and consistency. This reflects India’s growing depth in both men’s and women’s cricket, particularly in white-ball formats. Recent successes, including ICC tournament victories and consistent overseas performances, have cemented India’s status as a global cricket powerhouse.
