The final fireworks have faded over Lord's, the last ball has been bowled, and the 2025 season of The Hundred has crowned its champions. Another whirlwind month of explosive batting, cunning bowling, and electric atmospheres has given the BBC Sport pundits plenty to discuss as they lock in their picks for the Teams of the Tournament. From established superstars to breakout local talents, the selection debates were fierce.
The Unanimous Picks: Stardom Confirmed
A few names were etched onto every pundit's team sheet without a second thought. Leading the charge was Southern Brave's destructive opener, Phil Salt. Fresh off a dominant winter, Salt translated his form seamlessly into The Hundred, terrorizing bowling attacks from the first ball. His blistering century against Birmingham Phoenix, which included a record-equalling eight sixes, was a tournament-defining innings. As pundit and former England captain Michael Vaughan noted, "When Salt gets going, he doesn't just win you the game; he empties the bars because no one wants to miss a ball."
Alongside him, the wizardry of Adil Rashid (Northern Superchargers) was universally selected. In a format where bowlers are often mere cannon fodder, Rashid's economy rate of under a run a ball, coupled with his crucial wicket-taking ability in the middle phase, made him indispensable. His googly remained arguably the most potent delivery in the competition. Pundit Isa Guha argued, "Rashid isn't just a bowler; he's a strategist. He builds pressure that leads to mistakes at the other end. He's the complete T20 bowler."
The Engine Room: Middle-Order Maestros
The conversation became more nuanced when discussing the vital middle-order roles. Oval Invincibles' captain, Sam Curran, featured prominently for his all-round leadership. His knack for taking key wickets with his clever variations and finishing innings with the bat under extreme pressure proved invaluable in the Invincibles' run to the final. His death bowling, in particular, was singled out for praise.
Another English star, Danni Wyatt, was a favourite for the women's team. Her experience and power at the top for Southern Brave provided a perfect foil for the more aggressive Smriti Mandhana. Wyatt's consistency was remarkable, and her ability to find the boundary from the outset allowed her team to play with freedom. Her fielding, as always, was electric. Alex Hartley stated, "Danni is the heart and soul of that Brave lineup. She sets the standard in the field and her intent with the bat is contagious."
The Breakout Stars: New Names Announced
Every season, The Hundred unveils new heroes, and 2025 was no exception. The name on everyone's lips was London Spirit's young leg-spinner, Sophie Munro. With a fearless approach and a devastating wrong'un, Munro took the competition by storm, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the women's tournament. Her composure under pressure, especially in the eliminator at a packed Oval, marked her as a future international star.
In the men's competition, Trent Rockets' batter Jordan Cox finally announced himself on the big stage. Often a peripheral figure, Cox became the rock of the Rockets' lineup. His ability to accelerate through the innings, switching from anchor to aggressor seamlessly, was a key reason for their top-three finish. He scored heavily all around the wicket, but his innovation behind the wicketkeeper was a particular highlight.
The Overseas Excellence: Global Flair
The overseas contingent, as always, provided moments of pure magic. For the men, Manchester Originals' Glenn Maxwell lived up to his "Big Show" nickname with a series of ludicrous innings. His reverse-sweeping against 90mph bowling defied belief and broke the spirit of several opposing attacks. While occasionally fleeting, his contributions were monumental. In the women's game, Birmingham Phoenix's Sophie Devine was a powerhouse. Her all-round prowess was on full display, with her clean striking clearing the largest boundaries with ease and her canny medium-pace bowling proving incredibly difficult to get away.
A special mention must go to Welsh Fire's Marizanne Kapp. While her bowling was, as ever, metronomic and threatening, it was her development as a genuine top-order batter that captivated pundits. She played several match-winning innings, blending textbook strokeplay with immense power. Ebony Rainford-Brent said, "Kapp has evolved into the ultimate competitor. She wants to be in the fight with both bat and ball, and she has the skill to dictate terms."
The Pundits' Teams of The Tournament
Men's Team of the Tournament
The consensus men's XI, as debated by the panel, showcases a blend of firepower and finesse:
- Phil Salt (Southern Brave - Wicketkeeper)
- Will Jacks (Oval Invincibles)
- Jordan Cox (Trent Rockets)
- Glenn Maxwell (Manchester Originals)
- Sam Curran (Oval Invincibles)
- Liam Livingstone (Birmingham Phoenix)
- Sunil Narine (Oval Invincibles)
- Adil Rashid (Northern Superchargers)
- Reece Topley (Southern Brave)
- Spencer Johnson (Welsh Fire)
- Daniel Sams (Trent Rockets - Wildcard)
Women's Team of the Tournament
The women's selection highlighted both established internationals and rising English talent:
- Danni Wyatt (Southern Brave)
- Sophia Dunkley (Welsh Fire)
- Heather Knight (London Spirit - Captain)
- Sophie Devine (Birmingham Phoenix)
- Marizanne Kapp (Welsh Fire)
- Alice Capsey (Oval Invincibles)
- Sophie Munro (London Spirit)
- Sarah Glenn (Birmingham Phoenix)
- Lauren Bell (Southern Brave)
- Tara Norris (Oval Invincibles)
- Amanda-Jade Wellington (Southern Brave - Wildcard)
The 2025 edition of The Hundred will be remembered for its incredible depth of talent and the emergence of a new generation ready to take over the international stage. The debates will rage on until the first ball is bowled next year, but one thing is certain: the blend of world-class overseas stars and thrilling domestic talent continues to make The Hundred a spectacular showcase of cricket's future.