Best spells of the year in International Cricket

This year we witnessed some great moments in cricket in general. There have been some excellent individual performances across different formats and in this article we will look at which bowlers put up

a memorable performance. As we come towards the end of 2025, let us look at the Best spells of the year in International Cricket.

1.Kagiso Rabada – 5/51 vs Australia, WTC Final

Kagiso Rabada became just the second bowler to pick a five-wicket haul in a World Test Championship final during the match against Australia at Lords. Rabada finished with figures of 5/51 in 15.4 overs as Australia was bowled out for 212. The South African pacer made early inroads by dismissing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in the early in the match.

Rabada then cleaned up Australia’s tail after the tea break by dismissing skipper Pat Cummins, Beau Webster and Mitchell Starc in quick succession as the Australia lost its last five wickets for just 20 runs. It was a fine performance from the pacer who also helped South Africa win the WTC Final with this crucial spell. This is one of the best bowling spell of 2025.

2.Kuldeep Yadav 4/30 vs Pakistan, Asia Cup Final

In the Final of the Asia Cup 2025, Kuldeep Yadav ran through Pakistan’s middle order, taking four wickets to restrict them to just 146. Pakistan had a good opening partnership and Kuldeep started things by dismissing Farhan. He then took the wicket Salman Ali Agha for his second scalp. His spell of 4/30 was capped with two wickets in his final over by removing Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf which sealed Pakistan’s collapse.

Kuldeep had entered the final with 31 wickets in the tournament’s history. After this spell, he went past Malinga’s tally of 32 and eventually finished the night with 36 wickets from 18 matches which makes him leafing wicket taker in Asia Cup history. This spell also helped India win the Asia Cup 2025.

3.Mitchell Starc 7/58 vs England

Mitchell Starc started the Ashes with a bang picking up seven wickets in an innings against England. This was his first-ever seven-wicket haul in Test cricket. Prior to the Perth exploits, Starc had 6/9 as his best bowling figures in the format. He found the outside edge of Crawley early on which was safely taken by Usman Khawaja. He then accounted for Ben Duckett by trapping the left-hander LBW for 21.

Joe Root also feel to the left arm pacer. Although Harry Brook and Ollie Pope fought back with a partnership to lead the English fightback with brisk knocks, Starc returned to pick up the key wicket of Brook. Starc’s figures of 7 for 58 saw England bowled out for just 172. The left arm pacer also scripted several milestones as Australia won the match and he was the player of the match. This was a spell that set the tone for Ashes 2025.

4.Harshit Rana 4/39 vs Australia

Harshit Rana bowled one of the best spell of his career in the third and final ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. His effort with the ball helped India restrict the rivals to a score of 236 in 46.4 overs. The right-arm pacer was spot on from the start and conceded just 39 runs from his 8.4 overs as Australia were bowled out.

Harshit Rana took the wicket of Alex Carey for 24, then followed it up dismissing Cooper Connolly for 23. He then dismissed the dangerous Mitchell Owen for just 1. His fourth and final wicket was Josh Hazlewood. Australia started the innings well but this spell from Harshit Rana ensured they were bowled out without playing 50 overs and India won the match comfortably.

5.Simon Harmer – 6/37 vs India

Simon Harmer produced a master class at Guwahati. He picked up six wickets in the last innings to help South Africa win a memorable Test series in India. Chasing an 549, the Indian batters struggled as Harmer knocked over opener KL Rahul, bringing India down to 21/2 on the fourth evening.

On day 5, Harmer picked up the wicket of Dhruv Jurel and then Rishabh Pant for 13. He later dismissed Washington Sundar for 16 and Nitish Kumar Reddy for a duck. Harmer was the pick of South Africa’s bowlers, conceding just 37 runs in 23 overs and picking up six wickets. He was also South Africa’s standout spinner of the series, having finished with 17 wickets from two matches.