Best Test Team of the Year Since 2015

Kings of Red-Ball Cricket

Over the past decade, Test cricket has been consistently dominated by three nations; Australia, India, and South Africa. During this period, the top leadership roles were held by elite captains, including Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hashim Amla, and Temba Bavuma.

South Africa (2015)

Under Hashim Amla's captaincy, the South African Test side stood out as the best in 2015, showcasing remarkable resilience and depth. Although they suffered a series defeat in India late in the year, their overall dominance was led by strong performances from Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers, and home and away wins over the West Indies.

Australia (2016)

The Australian Test team of 2016 experienced a mixed year, but their initial dominance allowed them to finish on a high. The Aussies started the year with a 2-0 series win over West Indies, but lost a major home series to South Africa 2-1, their overall record for the year was 5 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw from 13 matches.

India (2017)

2017 marked the start of Virat Kohli's historic Test captaincy era, as he transformed the Indian red-ball team into the best in the world. They were virtually unbeatable in India, notably winning a tough series 2-1 against Australia and later completing a clean sweep with a 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka away, as well as home.

India (2018)

Continuing its dominance in red-ball cricket, the Indian Test side secured its most significant achievement in 2018,becoming the first Asian side to win a Test series in Australia (2-1). Although the team suffered hard-fought series losses in South Africa and England, captain Virat Kohli finished the year as the ICC Test Player of the Year.

India (2019)

Another year of the Indian Test team's dominance, the Men in Blue, in 2019, achieving an unprecedented 87.50 percent winning record in the format for the calendar year, a streak which saw them remain undefeated. This dominance was built on a historic 2-1 series victory in Australia, followed by three consecutive home wins.

India (2020)

The Indian Test team retained the ICC Test Championship Mace in 2020, winning three, losing one, and drawing two, out of the six Tests that they played, The Indian team notably secured a decisive 2-0 series win over New Zealand at home early on, followed by a historic win over Australia in Melbourne under Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy.

New Zealand (2021)

Putting India's Test cricket dominance to an end, New Zealand achieved the monumental feat of winning the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final in 2021, defeating India by eight wickets in Southampton. This golden year saw them win three out of the seven matches that they played, while also briefly being ranked No. 1 in the world.

Australia (2022)

The Australian Test team, led by the captain Pat Cummins, was consistently ranked World No. 1 for the entire calendar year of 2022. They maintained a formidable record, securing two significant overseas series victories, first with a dominant 1-0 win in Pakistan and later achieving a convincing 1-1 series draw in Sri Lanka.

Australia (2023)

Second year in a row, the Australian Test team dominated in 2023, winning the ICC World Test Championship final against India by 209 runs, to secure the coveted title. Their dominance was evidenced by retaining the Ashes in England (2-2 draw), and a commanding start to the home summer with a 3-0 series whitewash of South Africa.

Australia (2024)

Maintaining its elite status, the Australian Test team reatined the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a hard-fought 2-1 series victory over India at home, by the end of 2024-25. This achievement, combined with a dominant 2-0 series win over New Zealand, was backed by their relentless pace attack, featuring Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa (2025)

Winning the ICC World Test Championship title for the first time in history, South Africa defeated Australia by a narrow margin in the 2025 final, solidifying its status as the world's premier side. This success was built on a perfect home record, including a dominant 2-0 series win over India, showcasing a ruthless approach by the players.