ODI cricket matches for known for its fast pace, thrilling and highly entertaining. Bowlers are highly important as batsman in ODIs. While centuries are talk of the town, waking taking is also equally important. This blog will explain what it means to take wickets in ODIs, why they count, and the bowlers who have taken the most wickets. Visit 96IN if you like cricket stats and records. If you are interested in reading more blogs about ODI matches, register on 96in site.
Top 10 Bowlers with the Most Wickets in ODI History
| Rank | Bowler | Country | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy | Career Span |
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 350 | 534 | 7/30 | 23.08 | 3.93 | 1993–2011 |
| 2 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 356 | 502 | 5/15 | 23.52 | 3.89 | 1984–2003 |
| 3 | Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 262 | 416 | 7/36 | 23.84 | 4.68 | 1989–2003 |
| 4 | Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 322 | 400 | 8/19 | 27.53 | 4.18 | 1994–2008 |
| 5 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 398 | 395 | 7/12 | 34.51 | 4.62 | 1996–2015 |
| 6 | Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 303 | 393 | 6/35 | 24.50 | 3.67 | 1996–2008 |
| 7 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 250 | 381 | 7/15 | 22.02 | 3.88 | 1993–2007 |
| 8 | Brett Lee | Australia | 221 | 380 | 5/22 | 23.36 | 4.76 | 2000–2012 |
| 9 | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 226 | 338 | 6/38 | 28.87 | 5.35 | 2004–2019 |
| 10 | Anil Kumble | India | 271 | 337 | 6/12 | 30.89 | 4.30 | 1990–2007 |
Best Wicket Taker in ODI
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 534 Wickets
- Matches: 350
- Average: 23.08
- Best Bowling: 7/30
Muralitharan’s supremacy in ODIs mirrored his Test legacy. He has nearly 534 wickets and this number makes him the best wicket taker in the ODI history. His spins are fantastic and it makes the batsman fear or rethink before hitting the bat. He made many batsman lose their wicket with his effective bowling and even changed the fate of the match in the last moment. Murali’s ability to strike in the middle overs and break partnerships was unsurpassed.
2. Wasim Akram (502 Wickets)
Wasim Akram has 502 ODI wickets in 356 matches, second most. With his rapid two-way swing, the Pakistani left-arm fast bowler revolutionized fast bowling.
Career Highlights:
- 502 ODI wickets, 2nd highest all-time,
- 23.52 bowling average,
- 3.89 economy rate,
- 6 five-wicket hauls,
- 1992 World Cup winner and leading wicket-taker.
A master of reverse swing, Akram was unplayable in middle and death overs in subcontinent conditions. His relentless yorkers in vital closing overs made him the most feared death bowler of his time.
3. Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 416 Wickets
- Matches: 262
- Average: 23.84
- Best Bowling: 7/36
Waqar Younis, with his toe-crushing yorkers and raw pace, was a nightmare in the 90s. His ability to hit early and tidy up tails made him one of the most feared bowlers. His 416 wickets include some of the most memorable periods in ODI history.
Records and Milestones in ODI Bowling
Best Bowling Figures:
8/19 – Chaminda Vaas vs Zimbabwe (2001)
7/15 – Glenn McGrath vs Namibia (2003)
6/12 – Anil Kumble vs West Indies (1993)
6/14 – Wasim Akram vs West Indies (1990)
Fastest to Milestones:
100 wickets: Brett Lee (52 matches)
200 wickets: Saqlain Mushtaq (104 matches)
300 wickets: Waqar Younis (163 matches)
400 wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan (225 matches)
World Cup Performances:
Most wickets in single World Cup: 26 – Glenn McGrath (2007)
Career World Cup wickets: 68 – Glenn McGrath
Best economy in World Cup: 3.36 – Glenn McGrath
Conclusion
ODI bowlers are also important factors affecting the ODI results. As we discussed, those are some of the great players. If you want to read more informative blogs like this, register on Indibet site.
