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In the ever-evolving world of international cricket, the title of "best cricket team" is determined by rankings, dominance across the three formats, and consistent performance. As of 2025, several established teams continue to lead the way in Test, ODI, and T20I formats. Among them, India Cricket Team currently stands out as the strongest team overall. But how is this "best" status actually determined? Let's take a closer look.
The ICC uses a detailed ranking system to assess the performance of teams and players. For team rankings, each match played within a specific time window-typically the past 3 to 4 years-is taken into account, with more recent matches carrying more weight.
Victories over higher-ranked opponents earn more points than wins against lower-ranked teams. In addition, winning a series provides bonus points, and the strength of the opposition directly influences how many points are awarded.
In Test cricket, a team's ranking is calculated by dividing its total points by the number of matches played, with bonus points for series wins. For ODIs and T20Is, rankings are based on match results, the strength of the opponent, and the margin of victory or defeat. This dynamic system keeps the rankings fluid and the competition intense.
As of August 2025, India holds the top position in both ODI and T20I formats. With their consistency, deep bench strength, and ability to perform in key moments, India has become the dominant force in white-ball cricket. They hold an ODI rating of 124 with 4,471 total points and lead the T20I rankings with a rating of 271 and 15,425 points—far ahead of second-placed Australia.
However, in the Test format, Australia remains the frontrunner. With a rating of 124 and a total of 3,732 points, they continue to showcase dominance in both batting and bowling.
Australia leads the table, followed by South Africa and England. India ranks fourth, showing a slight decline compared to last year.
| Pos | Team | Matches Played | Points | Rating |
| 1 | Australia | 30 | 3732 | 124 |
| 2 | South Africa | 25 | 2873 | 115 |
| 3 | England | 34 | 3839 | 113 |
| 4 | India | 27 | 2837 | 105 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 22 | 2094 | 95 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 27 | 2364 | 88 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 22 | 1705 | 78 |
| 8 | West Indies | 26 | 1865 | 72 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 27 | 1648 | 61 |
| 10 | Ireland | 5 | 152 | 30 |
| 11 | Afghanistan | 5 | 104 | 21 |
| 12 | Zimbabwe | 14 | 137 | 10 |
India is clearly ahead, while New Zealand and Australia share the same rating (109), with New Zealand having more total points. Sri Lanka and Pakistan complete the top five, indicating tight competition.
| Pos | Team | Matches | Points | Rating |
| 1 | India | 36 | 4471 | 124 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 38 | 4160 | 109 |
| 3 | Australia | 32 | 3473 | 109 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 32 | 3312 | 104 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 39 | 4009 | 103 |
| 6 | South Africa | 29 | 2775 | 96 |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 25 | 2279 | 91 |
| 8 | England | 34 | 3003 | 88 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 32 | 2465 | 77 |
| 10 | West Indies | 32 | 2454 | 77 |
| 11 | Zimbabwe | 22 | 1202 | 55 |
| 12 | Ireland | 18 | 938 | 52 |
| 13 | Scotland | 31 | 1381 | 45 |
| 14 | USA | 34 | 1387 | 41 |
| 15 | Netherlands | 36 | 1425 | 40 |
| 16 | Oman | 25 | 886 | 35 |
| 17 | Nepal | 32 | 1060 | 33 |
| 18 | Canada | 20 | 422 | 21 |
| 19 | Namibia | 30 | 573 | 19 |
| 20 | UAE | 32 | 250 | 8 |
India remains dominant, with Australia, England, and New Zealand competing closely behind. South Africa, West Indies, and Pakistan are also in the mix, making T20 cricket highly competitive.
| Pos | Team | Matches | Points | Rating |
| 1 | India | 57 | 15425 | 271 |
| 2 | Australia | 32 | 8470 | 265 |
| 3 | England | 40 | 10287 | 257 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 45 | 11335 | 252 |
| 5 | South Africa | 39 | 9487 | 243 |
| 6 | West Indies | 46 | 11091 | 241 |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | 34 | 7890 | 232 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 50 | 11467 | 229 |
| 9 | Afghanistan | 30 | 6699 | 223 |
| 10 | Bangladesh | 50 | 11072 | 221 |
| 11 | Ireland | 32 | 6439 | 201 |
| 12 | Zimbabwe | 48 | 9564 | 199 |
| 13 | Netherlands | 33 | 6023 | 183 |
| 14 | UAE | 44 | 8009 | 182 |
| 15 | Scotland | 23 | 4178 | 182 |
| 16 | Namibia | 26 | 4617 | 178 |
| 17 | USA | 33 | 5769 | 175 |
| 18 | Nepal | 33 | 5535 | 168 |
| 19 | Canada | 35 | 5374 | 154 |
| 20 | Oman | 35 | 5121 | 146 |
Australia demonstrates endurance, depth, and strategic execution in the Test format. Their victories across continents against top teams cement their dominance.
India has been the most consistent side, backed by a deep talent pool and excellent performances in both bilateral series and ICC tournaments. They lead the rankings by a significant margin.
India continues to dominate thanks to their young players, smart bowling options, and powerful batting lineup. Their aggressive style and flexibility make them a formidable force in the shortest format.
While Australia maintains its edge in Test cricket, India's dominance in ODIs and T20Is positions them as the leading contender for the title of the world's best cricket team. However, with fierce competition and ever-changing rankings, each series has the potential to shift the balance.
