Leave your Test XI of 2025 in the comments.

The diminishing depth in Test cricket was laid bare when selecting the team of 2025, which includes players from just the top four nations – with no player from any other country coming into consideration. Australia, England and India dominate the XI because their boards gave them the most opportunities to impress, while the lighter Test schedule of world champions South Africa cost their players greater representation.

The 2025 Test team of the year includes South Africa’s Temba Bavuma, India’s Shubman Gill and Australian paceman Scott Boland.Credit: Photos: AP, Getty Images. Artwork: Aresna Villanueva

Only three players – Travis Head, Joe Root and Ravindra Jadeja – retained their places from last year, while seven have been named in this team for the first time, including a spinner many will not have heard of.

Our XI includes a whipping boy, a cult hero and a batter, who, despite making less than half the runs of some of his rivals, was given the captain’s blazer.

Modern-day greats Steve Smith, Jasprit Bumrah and Kane Williamson all miss out, while there’s a couple of Bazballers whose brain fades tipped them out the door.

Even the toughest critics of the one-time whipping boy of Indian fans would have to dip their lid to Rahul.

The elegant opener’s selection was straightforward. No opener scored more than his 813 runs. He booked a debut appearance in this spot by averaging 53 in England, better than the three other openers in the series, so there can be no questioning of his position.

As the second leading run-scorer for the........

© The Sydney Morning Herald