One Day International (ODI) cricket has seen some of the greatest bowlers of all time. These bowlers have not only taken the most wickets but have also played a crucial role in their teams’ success. Here is a detailed look at the top 10 bowlers with the most wickets in ODI history.
10. Anil Kumble (India) – 337 Wickets
Anil Kumble was one of India’s greatest spinners and one of the most wickets in ODI history. He played in ODIs from 1990 to 2007, taking 337 wickets in 271 matches. Known for his accuracy and variations, Kumble bowled a total of 14,496 balls, conceding 10,412 runs. His best bowling figures in an ODI match were 6/12. With an economy rate of 4.30 and a bowling average of 30.89, Kumble was an essential player for India, especially in pressure situations. He also had eight four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls in his career.
9. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 338 Wickets
Lasith Malinga was one of the most feared fast bowlers in limited-overs cricket. Playing for Sri Lanka from 2004 to 2019, he took 338 wickets in 226 matches. Malinga was known for his deadly yorkers and ability to bowl in the death overs. He delivered 10,936 balls and conceded 9,760 runs. His best bowling performance in an ODI was 6/38. Malinga had an economy rate of 5.35 and a bowling average of 28.87. He also managed 11 four-wicket hauls and eight five-wicket hauls, making him one of the best wicket-taking bowlers in the format.
8. Brett Lee (Australia) – 380 Wickets
Brett Lee was one of the fastest bowlers in the history of cricket and most wickets in ODI history. Representing Australia from 2000 to 2012, he took 380 wickets in 221 matches. With his express pace and aggressive bowling style, Lee bowled 11,185 balls and gave away 8,877 runs. His best ODI bowling figures were 5/22. Lee had a bowling average of 23.36 and an economy rate of 4.76. He also recorded 14 four-wicket hauls and nine five-wicket hauls. His ability to strike early and break partnerships made him a key bowler for Australia.
7. Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 381 Wickets
Glenn McGrath was a master of line and length, making him one of the most consistent fast bowlers in cricket history and most wickets in ODI history. He played from 1993 to 2007 and took 381 wickets in 250 matches. McGrath bowled 12,970 balls and conceded only 8,391 runs, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 3.88. His best ODI figures were 7/15. With a bowling average of 22.02, McGrath was a nightmare for batsmen. He took nine four-wicket hauls and seven five-wicket hauls, often leading Australia to victory with his brilliant bowling.
6. Shaun Pollock (South Africa) – 393 Wickets
Shaun Pollock was one of South Africa’s greatest all-rounders and a superb fast bowlerand most wickets in ODI history. Playing from 1996 to 2008, he took 393 wickets in 303 matches. Pollock delivered 15,712 balls and conceded 9,631 runs. His best ODI bowling figures were 6/35. With an excellent bowling average of 24.50 and an economy rate of 3.67, Pollock was a highly economical and consistent performer. He recorded 12 four-wicket hauls and five five-wicket hauls in his ODI career, making him one of the most reliable bowlers in history.
5. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 395 Wickets
Shahid Afridi was primarily known for his explosive batting, but he was also one of the most successful bowlers in ODI cricket. Playing from 1996 to 2015, he took 395 wickets in 398 matches. Afridi bowled 17,670 balls and gave away 13,632 runs. His best bowling performance in ODIs was 7/12, one of the best figures in the format. With a bowling average of 34.51 and an economy rate of 4.62, Afridi was a wicket-taker who often provided crucial breakthroughs. He managed four four-wicket hauls and nine five-wicket hauls, proving his effectiveness with the ball.
4. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)- 400 Wickets
Chaminda Vaas was one of the most consistent and skillful fast bowlers for Sri Lanka and most wickets in ODI history. Playing from 1994 to 2008, he appeared in 322 matches and bowled 15,775 deliveries. Vaas took 400 wickets in ODIs, with his best bowling figures of 8/19, making him one of the most successful left-arm pacers in the history of the game. He maintained an impressive bowling average of 27.53 and an economy rate of 4.18. Vaas was known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and trouble batsmen with his accuracy. His 4 four-wicket hauls and 9 five-wicket hauls in ODIs highlight his effectiveness as a strike bowler for Sri Lanka. He played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s bowling attack and was instrumental in many of their victories.
3. Waqar Younis (Pakistan)- 416 Wickets
Waqar Younis was one of the most feared fast bowlers in cricket history. Playing from 1989 to 2003, he featured in 262 matches and bowled 12,698 deliveries. With his deadly pace and ability to reverse swing the ball, he took 416 wickets at an exceptional bowling average of 23.84. Waqar’s best ODI performance was 7/36, showcasing his ability to destroy batting lineups single-handedly. He had an economy rate of 4.68 and a strike rate of 30.52, proving his effectiveness as a wicket-taker. He also recorded 14 four-wicket hauls and 13 five-wicket hauls, demonstrating his ability to deliver match-winning spells. Along with Wasim Akram, Waqar formed one of the most lethal fast-bowling pairs in cricket history, making Pakistan a dominant force in the 1990s.
2. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) 502 Wickets
Wasim Akram, known as the ‘Sultan of Swing,’ is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history. Representing Pakistan from 1984 to 2003, he played 356 ODIs and delivered 18,186 balls. He picked up 502 wickets, making him the second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs. Akram’s best bowling figures in ODIs were 5/15, and he had an excellent average of 23.52. His economy rate of 3.89 and strike rate of 36.22 highlight his ability to control the run flow while consistently taking wickets. Akram was known for his ability to bowl lethal inswingers and yorkers, making life difficult for batsmen. He had 17 four-wicket hauls and 6 five-wicket hauls in ODIs, proving his match-winning ability. He was a key player in Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team, playing a vital role in their success.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)-534 Wickets
Muttiah Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in ODI history, with 534 wickets in 350 matches. Playing from 1993 to 2011, he bowled a total of 18,811 deliveries and maintained an outstanding bowling average of 23.08. His best bowling figures in ODIs were 7/30. With an economy rate of 3.93 and a strike rate of 35.22, Muralitharan was one of the most economical yet deadly bowlers in the history of the game. Known for his unique bowling action and ability to turn the ball sharply, Muralitharan was a nightmare for batsmen across the world. He recorded 15 four-wicket hauls and 10 five-wicket hauls in ODIs, highlighting his consistency as a match-winner for Sri Lanka. His contributions were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s success, and he remains one of the most celebrated cricketers of all time.