India’s Wisden Sweep: Deepti, Abhishek Shine in Landmark Year

Indian cricket stamped its authority on the 2026 honours of the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, securing seven of the nine awards in a performance that underlines the country’s multi-format dominance on the global stage.

All-rounder Deepti Sharma was named Women’s Cricketer of the Year after a stellar campaign in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, where she finished as the leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps and played a key role in India clinching their maiden title. In the men’s game, Abhishek Sharma earned the T20 Cricketer of the Year award following a breakout season, scoring 859 runs at a striking rate of 193, reflecting India’s growing strength in the shortest format.

India’s presence was equally strong in the traditional format, with Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja featuring among Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year for their performances in the England Test series, which ended in a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Siraj emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, while Gill’s prolific run-scoring anchored India’s batting.

The only non-Indian awardees were Australia’s Mitchell Starc, named the world’s leading men’s cricketer , and England’s Haseeb Hameed, who was also included among the Five Cricketers of the Year .

Widely regarded as one of cricket’s most prestigious recognitions, the Wisden honours highlight performances in challenging conditions, particularly in England. India’s sweep signals a shift from reliance on individual brilliance to a well-rounded, consistent unit delivering across formats.

The recognition of Deepti also reflects the rising stature of women’s cricket in India, while Abhishek’s award points to the emergence of a fearless new generation in T20s. Collectively, the honours reaffirm India’s position as a global cricketing powerhouse with depth in both men’s and women’s cricket.