London | June 9, 2025 – In a glittering ceremony just ahead of the World Test Championship Final, the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled its newest Hall of Fame inductees — and it’s nothing short of a dream team! Seven iconic names from the cricketing world have now been etched into eternity at Abbey Road Studios, London, where history and harmony collided to celebrate the game’s greatest.
🌟 Star-Studded Induction List 2025:
🇮🇳 MS Dhoni – The Captain Who Conquered It All
From ticket collector to cricketing emperor, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is now officially immortalized. The man with nerves of steel, a lightning-fast glove hand, and an even faster cricketing brain, Dhoni’s induction comes as no surprise. The only captain in history to win all three ICC white-ball trophies — the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy — has once again proved he’s in a league of his own.
🇦🇺 Matthew Hayden – The Titan at the Top
The Australian giant who batted like a storm, Matthew Hayden bulldozed bowlers with brute force and serene confidence. His bat was a weapon, his presence – dominating. With a Test average north of 50 and crucial roles in Australia’s World Cup triumphs, Hayden’s entry into the Hall is a celebration of power hitting redefined.
🇳🇿 Daniel Vettori – The Silent Magician of Spin
New Zealand’s ever-reliable Daniel Vettori — a masterclass in consistency and humility — has spun his way into greatness. With 300+ wickets and over 4,000 Test runs, Vettori joins an elite trio who excelled both with bat and ball. The bespectacled wizard inspired a generation of Kiwi cricketers.
🇿🇦 Hashim Amla – Elegance in Motion
The man with a monk-like calm and the wrists of a painter, Hashim Amla made batting look effortless. His unbeaten 311 against England remains the highest score by a South African in Tests. Known for his quiet dominance and gentlemanly demeanor, Amla’s inclusion was inevitable.
🇿🇦 Graeme Smith – The Iron-Willed General
With leadership that transformed a team, Graeme Smith led South Africa through one of their golden eras. Captaining a record 109 Tests, Smith’s iron jaw (often literally, given how he played with injuries) and fearless mindset made him one of the game’s fiercest competitors.
Sarah Taylor – The Wicket-Keeping Wonder
Elegant with the bat and electric behind the stumps, Sarah Taylor revolutionized women’s wicket-keeping. A cornerstone of England’s success, including their 2017 World Cup win, Taylor’s induction celebrates not just stats, but impact.
🇵🇰 Sana Mir – Pakistan’s Trailblazing Queen
A beacon of hope and strength, Sana Mir becomes the first Pakistani woman in the ICC Hall of Fame. One of ODI cricket’s leading wicket-takers and a relentless advocate for women’s cricket and mental health, Mir’s journey has inspired millions beyond boundaries.
Ceremony Highlights:
Held at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, the ceremony was a blend of nostalgia, honor, and celebration. ICC Chairman Jay Shah remarked,
“These legends have not only entertained billions but have transformed the sport and set benchmarks for generations to follow.”
Why This Matters:
This Hall of Fame class represents diversity, grit, glory, and the evolution of cricket across genders and nations. From subcontinent superstars to global ambassadors, this is cricket history written in golden ink.