The year 2025 saw some memorable international debuts for cricketers. While performances in domestic cricket are great for a player's confidence and experience,
some struggle to replicate similar heroics when they enter the international scene.
In this article, we take a look at the top five cricketers who debuted in international cricket in 2025. The players mentioned on this list have shown glimpses of the potential they possess. They will gain more experience as they play on the biggest stage and be able to hone their skills during their time in their respective national teams, with star players and excellent coaches present to help them.
Top five cricket players who made their debut in 2025:
5. Lhuan-dre Pretorius
Lhuan-dre Pretorius had an excellent outing in the SA20 2025 for the Paarl Royals. He finished as the highest run-getter in the six-team tournament. The tournament ended in February and the southpaw made his international debut four months later.
The 19-year-old has already played two Tests, three ODIs, and 12 T20Is so far. His best performance so far in his international career came on his Test debut against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Pretorius smashed 153 off 160 balls in the first innings, belting 11 fours and four sixes.
4. Salman Mirza
Salman Mirza made his international debut for Pakistan during the first T20I against Bangladesh in Dhaka on July 20, 2025. The left-arm seamer, 31, bowled brilliantly on his debut, finishing with figures of 2/23 in 3.3 overs, even as Pakistan lost the match by seven wickets.
Mirza has played 11 T20Is so far. He has accounted for 16 wickets at an average of 16.56 and an economy rate of 6.36. Mirza, who can swing the new ball both ways, could be one of the bowlers to look out for in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
3. Eshan Malinga
Eshan Malinga made his international debut in January 2025 during an ODI against New Zealand. The right-arm seamer bowls with a slightly slingy action, but not as extreme as the likes of Lasith Malinga or Matheesha Pathirana. However, the 24-year-old has the ability to bowl yorkers and has a deceptive slower delivery.
Eshan did relatively well in the seven IPL games he played last season, bagging 13 wickets at an average of 18.31. He hasn't been as successful in the international circuit though. In seven ODIs and five T20Is, the Ratnapura-born has picked up four and five wickets, respectively.
2. Beau Webster
Beau Webster earned the Baggy Green for Australia during the Border-Gavaskar series against India. The seam-bowling all-rounder was brought into the setup to play the role of Cameron Green, who was recuperating from a back injury at that stage.
Webster played seven Tests, scoring 381 runs at an average of 34.64. With the ball, the 32-year-old bagged eight wickets, averaging 23.25. However, once Cameron Green returned from his injury, Webster had to make way, missing out an opportunity to play in the ongoing Ashes. Fans and commentators believed that this was a harsh call from the selectors as the Snug-born hadn't done much wrong to deserve the snub.
1. Mitchell Owen
Mitchell Owen is another seam-bowling all-rounder who debuted in international cricket this year. He is just 24 years old and has the talent needed to become a superstar in world cricket. The youngster uses his tall frame to good effect, getting to the pitch of the deliveries seamlessly. He also has the power to make any ground look tiny.
Owen has played three ODIs and 13 T20Is so far. He has scored 37 runs at an average of 18.5 in the 50-over format. In T20Is, he has aggregated 163 runs at a strike rate of 158.26. With the ball, he has picked up two wickets in ODIs and T20Is each. While the numbers are not very impressive, he is highly-rated and with more experience, he could be a remarkable player for the Aussies, especially in the white-ball formats.
