In the ever-evolving universe of Indian cricket, a handful have always been a cut above the rest, not so much for what they have achieved on the pitch but for what they have been, led by, and stood by in the sport. The Indian Express IE 100 ranking 2025 has put into focus the crème de la crème, and no surprise, three cricketing icons top the table. Let's look at the top 3 strongest cricketers of India this year:

1. Rohit Sharma

The Indian captain is one who continues to command respect both on and off the pitch. With his captaincy, composed mind, tactical sense, and an ability to perform under pressure matches, Rohit has become the new face of Indian cricket. He has easily ridden the transition phase and still remained one of the most consistent batsmen for the team. Off the pitch, his presence via sponsorships, the media, and among young people has cemented his position as a household name in India. Rohit in 2025 is no longer a player but a statesman of the game.

2. Virat Kohli

Years will come and go, but Virat Kohli is an impenetrable pillar of cricket for India. A symbol of work ethic, commitment, and ardour, Kohli's influence cuts across forms and generations. Even though he no longer captains him, his aura, training regimen, and never-say-die urge for runs leaves him as trendy and lionized as ever before. In cricket-crazy country, Kohli's fanbase remains the one in the box seat, and his voice still the one colours the debate surrounding the game. Power, in Kohli's instance, does not grow old.

ALSO SEE: IPL 2025: Sara Ali Khan to light up Guwahati as IPL celebrates 18 glorious years

3. Jasprit Bumrah

India's speed bowling wizard has transformed the art of fast bowling. Bumrah, with his unconventional action and laser-like precision, has become an inspiration in every given situation. His 2024-25 performance has made us recall why he is one of the all-time greats of world cricket. Besides statistics, Bumrah's level head, next-gen leadership and reach among youth cricketers make him the strongest force in Indian cricket today.

In a country of millions of would-be cricketers and an infinite number of heroes, these three are still propelling the sport's future and present. By leadership, legacy, or tear-inducing pace, Rohit, Virat, and Bumrah are still at the hub of Indian cricket's power matrix in 2025.

The conversation with current Indian ball twirler Kuldeep Yadav sparked a little excitement in the hearts of the fans as he compared the legendary footballers of all times to some of India's top-end cricketers. This comparison shows the common skills, mindset, and play style of both sports, and the crossover is an effective one.

Virat Kohli as Cristiano Ronaldo & Rohit Sharma as Steven Gerrard:

According to Kuldeep Yadav, Virat is a reflection of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also known for his hard work, how he has led the team, and his ability to perform during the most tense parts of the game. On the other hand, Kuldeep drew a parallel between Rohit Sharma and Steven Gerrard, saying that they are both level-headed players, very tactful, and win games often.

Also Read:-Mohammad Siraj gets emotional after joining Gujarat Titans

MS Dhoni as Paul Scholes & Jasprit Bumrah as Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

MS Dhoni, who is a legend in his own right, was compared to Paul Scholes, as both of them were known for their intelligent and composed playing abilities as well as the control of the game. Jasprit Bumrah was his equal among Indian players because he was likened to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was unpredictable and had a style that was both unconventional and highly dominant.

Kuldeep Yadav compares Indian cricketers to football legends! ⚽🏏🔥

Kohli – Ronaldo | Rohit – Gerrard | Dhoni – Scholes
Bumrah – Zlatan | Pant – Salah | Hardik – Rooney
KL Rahul – Van Dijk | Yashasvi Jaiswal – Foden | Kuldeep – B. Silva

Agree with his picks? 🤔🔥#Cricket pic.twitter.com/IkIitrBg9b

— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) March 25, 2025

Rishabh Pant as Mohamed Salah and Kuldeep Yadav as Bernardo Silva:

Kuldeep Yadav equated Rishabh Pant with Mohamed Salah, as both of them are immensely quick guys who can score in no time and sham opponents as they zigzag around. Similar to Salah's surprise blitzes and his goal-getter skills, Pant also pours out the same venom in cricket, and his attacking game can be crucial in winning the match.
Yet, Kuldeep Yadav was not only like Bernardo Silva but wider as well, which made everyone notice his excellent control, inventiveness, and skillful playing that led to outmaneuvering his competitors. The considerable dexterous play of Silva in football and his game sense very well reflect Kuldeep’s gripping his wrist-spin moves and tactical way of bowling, which usually perplexes hitters.

Also Read:-RR vs KKR – Weather & Pitch report

KL Rahul as Virgil van Dijk & Hardik Pandya as Wayne Rooney:

Kuldeep was amazed at how alike KL Rahul and Virgil van Dijk are while considering some of their special qualities like their coolness, dependability, and their capability to hold the middle order. As a rock-solid defense player, Van Dijk glues the team's batting order by batting in different formats, while Rahul challenges the pressure with ease, thereby giving their side stability.
Elsewhere, Hardik Pandya was likened to Wayne Rooney, which means he is bravely aggressive, omnipotent, and has the winner-takes-all mentality. Parallel to Pens' Rooney, Pandya gets to up his game when there's a do-or-die moment, using his abilities to the maximum the game over, be it striking or breaking the crucial wicket.

INDIAN PLAYERS WHAT THEY WOULD BE LIKE IF THEY WERE FOOTBALLERS - KULDEEP YADAV! 🌟

Virat Kohli - Ronaldo
Rohit Sharma - Gerrard
MS Dhoni - Paul Scholes
Bumrah - Zlatan
Rishabh Pant - M Salah
Kuldeep Yadav - B Silva
KL Rahul - Van Dijk
Hardik Pandya - Rooney
Yashasvi - Foden pic.twitter.com/4G4ayw0vCn

— Being Human (@BhttDNSH100) March 25, 2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal as Phil Foden:

Kuldeep was of the opinion that Yashasvi Jaiswal was like the very young Phil Foden because both of them were young, had immense talent, and were able to win matches by their own performances.  Similar to Foden, who possesses the power of technique and instinct in attacking, Jaiswal is one of the strongest cricket talents of India, which we have found recently; he can play fearlessly and switch smoothly from T20's to the other formats.

Kuldeep’s comparisons have sparked engaging discussions among fans, drawing exciting parallels between cricket and football while showcasing the unique strengths of these players in their respective sports.

IPL is just three days away and experts panel are ready to analaize their best player and rest of proceeding as in same Micheal Clarke was also asked about Bumrah not being into MI camp. Former Australian world cup winner have always be in praise of Jasprit Bumrah he always puts a high stake on him for him he is an gem of player. On account for Mumbai Indians he replied it would be quite tuff for Mumbai without Jasprit Bumrah. 

Jasprit Bumrah was sidelined due to the back injury which happened to him in the Bgt series in the 5th test where in the second session during the bowling he got a back strech and rushed ti to, the pavallion. Bumrah took 35 wickets in that Bgt series which India lost it later. It was said that he would be out of the game for 6-7 months. 

Read More: Twitter Trends With Hilarious Memes On Virat kohli Bgt Win Is Bigger Than World Cup

Jayawardene On Bumrah Recovery

MMumbai Head coach Jayawardene too was asked about  Bumrah availability his words were I too don't know too well its been said he is been recovering well and has shown great improvements but when he will join the team is still under BCCI hands without their clean chits we can't proceed further he is been great asset to us we will surely miss his services in first few games though we have bowlers who do the job done. 

But Bumrah as you say is the leader of the pack that's why it's hard to say anything for now. He is in Bengaluru and he is been doing well the sources said he reciprocates. He needs some time to recover but the path to the sixth title is still far away. Let him join the team first then decide what we can do to get the best out of him.

Read More:  BCCI Planning To Organise Opening Ceremony At All13 Venues

He is an absolute freak and a dangerous bowler.

Micheal Clarke is sure Bumrah is going to be back in the later stages of the game speaking to the Beyond 23 cricket podcast he went on to say I have a question about his effectiveness when he comes back to the team because he needs time to speed up the things you can't generate straightly after your recovery. It will take time as in general, Bumrah has to take care of himself the amount of load he, takes into his body. I know he is an absolute freak and may take time to get into the rhythm quickly. 

But it will surely hurt Mumbai without their premium bowler it would not be easy for them to survive in this hard league. He was later asked which team he was supporting he said he would be supporting SRH for Pat being in it. I would wish SRH to win, the title this year. Their batting is strong but there are concerns in their bowling department that they don't possess enough quality leaving Pat Cummins and Shami they definitely will be missing the third seam option  Harshal Patel is there but he is more expensive. 

India's best all-rounder Hardik Pandya recently spoke about his experience of sharing the same team with cricket's biggest leaders. He talked about how fortunate he is to be playing for the Mumbai Indians, where he gets to play with three of cricket's greatest captains in Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav.

Pandya, a key Mumbai Indians and Indian team member, emphasized how nice it is to have such veteran leaders working around him. Hardik further added that Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav are always there to advise him and support him. He further added that the three of them are like a pillar of support, always ready to assist him whenever he needs guidance or assistance.

ALSO READ: Cricket Fans in Faisalabad, Lahore, and Multan Get Ready for Big Matches

Hardik Pandya talks about the Support of Rohit, Surya & Bumrah in the team. 👏

- MI is coming for their 6th Title...!!!! pic.twitter.com/mgnPi2lMqJ

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 19, 2025

Hardik outlined the way that players of this type prefer to put an arm across his shoulder, soothing and supporting him when he is down. For Pandya, to have these captains is more than cricket. They on-field captaincy and mentoring off the pitch have proved as precious as anyone could have thought, helping him to develop not only as a cricketer but as a person.

Having shared the pitch with such seasoned leaders has provided a platform for Hardik to learn and develop as a player. He said that having such players surrounding him provides additional confidence and their experience and suggestions have been priceless in his development as a cricketer.

Overall, Hardik Pandya's words refer to the importance of effective leadership in cricket. It is not just about winning matches but also about establishing a support group where players feel at ease opening up. With Rohit, Bumrah, and Suryakumar being his support group, Hardik is in an even better position to handle any situation that he finds himself in, both on and off the field.

IPL is just 5 days away and players have joined their respective teams. This season of IPL is going to be more exciting as many players from current sides have been interchanged and have been made into most rival teams or to the other franchises, which creates the hype and excitement of the league. This is the rivalry aspect which IPL creates with tough competitions. Where your dearest becomes your most feared enemy. 

The same is with two mates Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli two gems of Indian team have a firey clash in IPL seasons which creates a healthy competition between these two athletes. In a recent interview in RCB podcast Virat Kohli has disclosed Bumrah as the tuffest bowler he has faced in the league which decipts how much competitive these both athletes are against each other. 

Read More: Virat Kohli Joins RCB Camp After Champions Trophy Triumph

Virat Kohli And Bumrah Intense Battles

Virat started his IPL career in the league's inception in 2008 when he was part of the franchise from its first season and had a wholesome career which made his legacy from an emerging player to the legend now he is today. Virat Kohli is the highest run-getter in the history of IPL history crossing over 8000 runs, and hitting 8 centuries he is the most decorative batsman of his time. In his span of a long career, he has come around the toughest of bowlers but the bowler who tested him the most is Jasprit Bumrah. 

Jasprit Bumrah is one of the rare gems that IPL has gifted. In 2013 Bumrah was bought by Mumbai Indians for his base price, but from there it was only rise for Bumrah under the guidance of Malinga he was groomed well. Virat and Bumrah's battle started in 2013 when he bowled Kohli in the home game against RCB  though at times Bumrah was mostly unknown to anyone but later on Kohli too replied with the bat in the next edition soon both exchanged a great rivalry between them. 

Virat On Praise For Bumrah

Virat in his recent interview shared his thoughts about cricket when he was asked whom do he think the best bowler in the league, as soon Virat replied the name with Bumrah where he had taken him and charged at him and Bumrah three times, and he liked the competition between them. But if he comes we have to know we have to stick to the ground. 

Read More: Virat Kohli Starts His Practice Sessions For RCB IPL 2025

Virat Kohli talking about Jasprit Bumrah & rivalry between both in IPL. 🌟

- Two GOATs of Cricket..!!!! 🐐

pic.twitter.com/tpz9cDn26i

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 17, 2025

Virat is once again ready for the battle between them but Bumrah being injured and recovering from back strain injury which he faced in BGT series. It is reported that Bumrah may be available in the later part of the IPL so the battle between them can be seen and the battle between them may comtinue. 

Glenn Mcgrath the legendary fast bowler of Australia has bit of small advice to Jasprit Bumrah who is been recovering from back stress which caused in 5th test of Bgt series. Mcgrah says he has to work hard in his body off the field as his body posses more power than other bowler so he needs to find an alternative way which lower the risk on his body. 

Glenn Mcgrath was renowned fast bowler for Australia who had played 124 tests and 250 ODI matches for Australia where he has taken 563 wickets in tests and 381 wickets in ODI. He has won three world cups(1999, 2003,2007) with Australia, and he was one of the prominent and go-to bowlers at that team. That was one of Australia's dangerous team. 

Read more: How To Buy Csk vs Punjab Kings Match 49 Tickets - IPL 2025

The Load Is Too Much On Him

Jasprit Bumrah has been a go-through bowler for India since his debut. He has bowled some crucial overs for Team India. Though in his initial days, he was in his learning phase which constrained some runs later with the time being he mastered his art. Mcgrath says Bumrah has found some ways to get relief from his stress but needs to work on his speed and technique.

He moves on with his own example that he had bigger fuel tank but the speed was quite lower than him. Bumrah has a vivid action which extracts more pressure on his back. He needs to adgacent his body, he knows better than us that how he feels because he is not the same as he used to be before. He has to work more harder to get into field. Because the expectation on him is so high that drives more. 

Will Bumrah Back To IPL Nearby

Bumrah suffered Back stress injury in the 5th test of Bgt series on the second day where he found some discomfort in his back and left the the field where, Australia got the target of 168 and it was chased by Australia. From there he is been on recovering phase, though at initial stage he was on the cards for Champions Trophy but later he was dropped back. 

Read more: Top 5 Kolkata Knight Riders Players Who Can Be In Red Hot Form This IPL Season

He is doubtful for IPL too where its been said that he will be skipping the initial stages of IPL and may get into action at the later half of the IPL but it may be subject to later things. Even Mcgrath has adviced the same to balance the work load which is done by most of the players by today. 

India has won numerous ICC trophies in the past, with some players giving excellent performances at the right time.

The players who received the most Man of the Match awards during each winning campaign:

1983: Mohinder Amarnath

Mohinder Amarnath was a crucial member of India's historic World Cup victory. He received two Man of the Match awards, one for the semi-final against England and another for the final against West Indies. His all-round play, providing important wickets and solid batting, assisted India in capturing the trophy.

2002: Virender Sehwag

India co-shared the Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002, and Virender Sehwag was one of the stars of the tournament. He received two Man of the Match awards for his explosive batting and effective bowing contributions.

ALSO SEE: Players With Most Sixes In Champions Trophy 2025

2007: Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh played a major role in India's success in the first T20 World Cup. He received two Man of the Match awards, both for one against England when he hit six sixes in an over and the second for his aggressive knock against Australia in the semi-final.

2011:Yuvraj Singh

The 2011 World Cup was ruled by Yuvraj Singh, who collected four Man of the Match awards. He scored important innings with the bat and also chipped in with the ball, thus becoming the pillar of India's campaign. His all-round excellence guided India to lift the trophy after 28 years.

2013:Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja was one of the star performers in India's 2013 Champions Trophy victory. He secured two Man of the Match awards for his all-round performances, including match-winning bowling efforts and aggressive lower-order hitting.

2024: Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah was the match-winner for India in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He secured two Man of the Match awards for his superb bowling performances, contributing significantly to India's victory.

2025:Virat Kohli

One of the all-time great batsmen, Virat Kohli once again rose to the occasion in the 2025 Champions Trophy. He earned two Man of the Match awards to establish himself as a player who can perform under pressure and took India to another ICC title.

From Mohinder Amarnath in 1983 to Virat Kohli in 2025, each ICC victory has been crafted by the players who played when it counted. With additional tournaments in store, people can't help but wait for the next big star who will lead India to victory.

Jasprit Bumrah shared his first reaction on social media, congratulating Team India on winning moment their third ICC Champions Trophy with a win over New Zealand. Though he couldn't play due to injury, Bumrah was seen at the stadium during India’s group-stage match against Pakistan, cheering for the Indian team.

Bumrah Instagram post, “Played like true champions! Congratulations to the entire team on a wonderful tournament and a well deserved win!".

Jasprit Bumrah applauds Team India’s triumph in the Champions Trophy 2025 🇮🇳🏆🎉 pic.twitter.com/72LgL66Bna

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 9, 2025

Bumrah missed the Champions Trophy 2025 due to an injury, which was a big concern for India before the tournament. But Rohit Sharma led the team well and won their third title with a magnificent victory over New Zealand.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by jasprit bumrah (@jaspritb1)

ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma Shuts Down Journalist with Epic Response, Confirms Retirement Plans

He got injured during the first innings of the Sydney Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and couldn’t bowl in the final innings. The Indian Cricket Board tried to speed up his recovery, hoping he could play in the Champions Trophy 2025, but in the end, he ruled out from the Champions Trophy 2025.The Indian team is hoping Bumrah recovers soon so he can play in the IPL 2025 and the Test series against England.

5 Players Who Can Replace Jasprit Bumrah in Mumbai Indians

1. Trent Boult (Left-arm Fast Bowler)

Trent Boult is the 1st choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah.One of the best left-arm pacers in world cricket, known for his swing in the powerplay and ability to take early wickets. Previously he played for Rajasthan Royals and in a mega auction mumbai indians bought him.

He has been the best bowler in T20 leagues, taking 31 wickets in 15 matches for MI NY in Major League Cricket with an impressive average of 15.12 and a strike rate of 11.0, meaning he gets a wicket almost every second over. In the IPL, he has played 104 matches and picked up 121 wickets, with best figures of 4/18 and an economy of 8.29 runs per over. He has also performed well in other leagues like SA20, ILT20, and BBL, consistently taking wickets.

2. Deepak Chahar (Right-arm Medium-Fast Bowler)

Deepak Chahar is the 2nd choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. A powerplay specialist with exceptional swing bowling skills, experienced in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and capable of contributing with the bat.

He has played for two teams in the IPL, featuring in 81 matches and bowling 1,669 deliveries while conceding 2,221 runs. Over his career, he has picked up 77 wickets, with his best bowling performance being 4/13. He averages 28.84 runs per wicket, has an economy rate of 7.98 runs per over, and takes a wicket roughly every 21.6 balls. He has also managed two four-wicket hauls but hasn’t taken a five-wicket haul yet in the IPL.

3. Lizaad Williams (Right-arm Fast Bowler)

Lizaad Williams is the 3rd choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. Lizaad Williams is a fast-medium bowler. He has also played international matches also.

He had a tough time in the IPL with Delhi Capitals, playing just 2 matches and taking only 1 wicket while being quite expensive with an economy of 12.00. However, he was much better in SA20 for Joburg Super Kings, where he took 20 wickets in 12 games with a solid average of 15.90 and best figures of 4/26.

4. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Right-arm Off-spin Bowler)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the 4th choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. A mystery spinner with variations, particularly effective in T20s, with IPL experience at Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He was outstanding in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), taking 26 wickets in 18 matches with a brilliant average of 14.46 and keeping things tight with an economy of 5.61. In the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), he also did well, picking up 25 wickets in 22 games with a solid average of 18.40 and an economy of 5.34. However, he struggled in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he managed just 6 wickets in 11 matches, proving to be expensive with an economy of 8.65 and a high bowling average of 63.50.

5. Venkata Satyanarayana(Right-arm Fast Bowler)

Venkata Satyanarayana is the 5th choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. He showed his skills in the First class cricket and in 2025 Mi was picked in IPL Auction.

He has played 7 T20 matches, taking 7 wickets with best figures of 2/19. On average, he gives away 8.23 runs per over and takes a wicket every 19.5 balls. While he has been decent, he hasn’t had any big performances like four or five-wicket hauls yet.

Jasprit Bumrah Could Miss First Two Weeks of IPL 2025
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will not be available for the initial two weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 as there are doubts over his fitness. Bumrah, who has been dealing with a lower back injury, was already excluded from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 earlier this year.

Injury and Recovery
Bumrah has had problems with injuries for years, and they have prevented him from playing some of the most crucial matches. His injury in the lower back has caused worry for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), since they wish to handle his workload carefully.

Since he missed the Champions Trophy, Bumrah has been in rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. In a recent post, he uploaded a video of him bowling in the nets, where he delivered a flawless yorker that destroyed the middle stump. This video instilled hope in fans that he would return soon.

ALSO READ:R Ashwin Slams Critics Ahead of India vs New Zealand CT 2025 Final

Will He Play in IPL 2025?
Although Bumrah has resumed training, there are indications that he won't be fully fit during the first fortnight of IPL 2025. The MI franchise and the BCCI are going out of their way to ensure his workload management.

Recently, former South African cricketer Vernon Philander discussed this issue, stating:

"Jasprit Bumrah is a world-class bowler, but maintaining his fitness is the biggest challenge. The IPL is a long tournament, and if he bowls too many games in the first half, it might affect him later on."

Mumbai Indians' Issues
The Mumbai Indians will miss the pressure if Bumrah misses the beginning of the IPL. He is among their major players, and his absence will compromise their bowling attack. MI will have to count on their other fast bowlers to plug the gap.

What's Next?
For the time being, Bumrah's availability for IPL 2025 is unknown. The decision will be made based on his fitness test outcomes at the NCA. If he isn't fully fit, the Mumbai Indians could have to begin their season without him.