Countries Predicted to Excel in Cricket in 2025

Cricket’s enormous international popularity ensures that there will be many countries competing in 2025 for glory and trophies. While many teams that are expected to do well this year are very established, there are some teams that haven’t won a major tournament in a long time. Here are the countries predicted to excel in cricket in 2025.

Australia

Most media outlets rank Australia as number one or two regardless of the format—Test or One Day International. Australia won the ICC World Test Championship in 2024, every major ICC championship, and their sixth World Cup title, making them one of the strongest teams in the world heading into 2025. The team has added some new members recently with Nathan McSweeney and Beau Webster getting more play time, especially in a recent test match against India for the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time in over 10 years. 

Like rugby, esports, and the most popular Nolimit City slots, cricket continues to have a massive following in Australia, with fans entertained by both veteran players and up-and-coming stars. Steve Smith, for example, has been playing for the Australian national team since 2010 and recently joined the 10,000 runs club, making him one of only 15 members so far. Australia continues to have plenty to look forward to in terms of international cricket competitions.

India

Though India began the new year by losing the Border-Gavaskar trophy to Australia, they are still in solid standing for excelling throughout 2025. Like Australia, India has emerging talent and outstanding leadership with Rohit Sharma. Last year, India won the T20 World Cup and went undefeated, marking the first time a team has sailed through the tournament. Some also consider Kuldeep Yadav to be one of their top talents. As a left-handed spinner, he may be key to solid performances in UAE matchups.

Going into 2025, many fans and experts rank India among the top three teams in terms of predicted success. With the ICC Champions Trophy returning this year, the country is in a great position to make their presence felt.

South Africa

To many, South Africa is in the top three for international competitive cricket. While South Africa has seen its ups and downs over the years, they did qualify for the World Test Championship. The team is led by Temba Bavuma, a veteran who has been on the roster since 2014. Last year, the team appointed a new batting coach, Imraan Khan, a highly talented coach and batter known for developing lower-level players into national team competitors. 

As a team, South Africa is a bit mercurial, as many cricket fans would say they have ‘choked’ many times at crucial moments and last won an ICC-organized tournament way back in 1998. With a team in development and solid leadership, however, South Africa has a chance to go far during the World Test Championship and make a serious name for themselves in 2025.

England

Despite having higher expectations, England didn’t do that well in the 2023 Cricket ODI World Cup, finishing in seventh place out of ten. But like South Africa and Australia, they have qualified for the World Test Championship. England has well-established players and many exciting up-and-coming additions to their roster, including Dillon Pennington, who is known for his fast pace and overall skill, and Jamie Smith, who has been with the team longer and offers steady bat skills.

With young and upcoming talent, England has a good chance of at least doing better this year. Obviously, they are very talented, but reaching the heights of the Australian team will be a challenge.

New Zealand

New Zealand also qualified for the Champions Cup in 2025, making them one of the eight best teams in the world. The team is led by Mitchell Santner, who is now a veteran, having been elevated to the international roster in 2014. New Zealand also has Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Ben Sears rounding out their lineup with experience. 

The team is hoping to take their 2015 successes a step further, as they went into the 2015 ODI World Cup Final undefeated but lost to Australia by 7 wickets.

Bangladesh

For Bangladesh, 2024 was a bit of a mixed year. While they did qualify for the Champions Cup and defended their 2019 Asia Cup victory in 2024, they also lost against the United States team prior to the T20i final. In the end, they were also beaten by West Indies, India, and Australia, though those aren’t teams anyone would expect Bangladesh could best in every meeting. 

Bangladesh is led by Taskin Ahmed and recent rising star Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Like many other teams, Bangladesh will rely on new talent like Miraz in an effort to push themselves towards success on the international stage.

Conclusion

With a world title coming up in 2025, many cricket fans and athletes are excited to see how their home countries perform on the largest stage. Will South Africa rise to the occasion while under pressure to win under conditions that have always been tough on them? Many cricket fans think that Australia will continue their unprecedented success, while England and New Zealand will be ever present in the final stages, but not quite take the trophy home.