Most ODI Wickets – Records, Players, and Stats – Top 15 Players

Most ODI Wickets. Cricket is a game of thrill and excitement; the bowlers play a crucial role. The bowlers are the game-changers who can turn the game in their team’s favour with their exceptional skills. In the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket, many such bowlers have made their mark and etched their names on the charts of most ODI wickets. This article will explore the world of ODI cricket’s most thrilling bowlers, their stats, records, and game-changing performances.

Top 15 Bowlers with the Most ODI Wickets

01 – Muttiah Muralitharan – Sri Lanka (534 wickets)

Muttiah Muralitharan is undoubtedly the greatest spin bowler in the history of cricket. He tops the list with a staggering 534 ODI wickets in just 350 matches. His career spanned over 15 years, and he had an exceptional record against every team he played against.

02 – Wasim Akram – Pakistan (502 wickets)

Wasim Akram, the Sultan of Swing, was one of the most skillful left-arm fast bowlers of all time. He took 502 wickets in 356 matches at an average of 23.52. His ability to swing the ball both ways made him a nightmare for the best of batsmen.

03- Waqar Younis – Pakistan (416 wickets)

Waqar Younis, another Pakistani great, was one of the fastest bowlers of his time. He was lethal with his reverse swing and yorkers and had a knack for picking up wickets. He finished his career with 416 wickets in 262 matches.

04- Chaminda Vaas – Sri Lanka (400 wickets)

Chaminda Vaas was a left-arm fast-medium bowler who had excellent control over his line and length. He was known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and was a difficult bowler to face in any condition. He picked up 400 wickets in 322 matches.

05 – Shahid Afridi – Pakistan (395 wickets)

Shahid Afridi is a former Pakistani all-rounder known for his big hitting and leg-spin bowling. He holds the record for the most number of wickets in T20 internationals, and he also picked up 395 wickets in 398 ODI matches at an average of 34.51.

06- Shaun Pollock – South Africa (393 wickets)

Shaun Pollock was a reliable all-rounder for South Africa, but his ability with the ball was exceptional. He had an impressive bowling average of 24.50 and picked up 393 wickets in 303 matches.

07- Glenn McGrath – Australia (381 wickets)

Glenn McGrath was a master of line and length, and his accuracy was unmatched. He picked up 381 wickets in just 250 matches at an average of 22.02. He was instrumental in Australia’s dominance during the late 90s and early 2000s.

08- Brett Lee – Australia (380 wickets)

Brett Lee was one of the fastest bowlers of his time and had an excellent yorker in his arsenal. He picked up 380 wickets in 221 matches at an average of 23.36. His ability to bowl consistently over 150 km/h made him a formidable opponent.

09- Lasith Malinga – Sri Lanka (338 wickets)

Lasith Malinga was one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world of cricket. He was known for his unique sling-arm action and his ability to bowl deadly yorkers. He picked up 338 wickets in 226 matches at an average of 28.87.

10- Anil Kumble – India (337 wickets)

Anil Kumble was one of India’s greatest spin bowlers of all time. He was known for his accuracy, ability to extract bounce from the pitch, and ability to bowl long spells without getting tired. He picked up 337 wickets in 271 matches at an average of 30.89.

11- Sanath Jayasuriya – Sri Lanka (323 wickets)

Sanath Jayasuriya was a left-handed batsman and a left-arm spinner who was a key member of Sri Lanka’s team in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was known for his aggressive batting style and his ability to swing the ball both ways. He picked up 323 wickets in 445 matches at an average of 36.75.

12- Javagal Srinath – India (315 wickets)

Javagal Srinath was the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack for over a decade. He had a smooth action and was accurate with his line and length. He picked up 315 wickets in 229 matches at an average of 28.08.

13- Daniel Vettori – New Zealand (305 wickets)

Daniel Vettori was one of cricket’s most successful left-arm spin bowlers. He picked up 305 wickets in 295 matches at an average of 31.71. His accuracy and ability to bowl in any condition made him a valuable asset to the New Zealand team.

14- Shakib Al Hasan – Bangladesh (269 wickets)

Shakib Al Hasan is one of the most successful cricketers to come out of Bangladesh. He is an all-rounder who has had a major impact on both the batting and bowling departments. He picked up 269 wickets in 212 matches at an average of 29.38.

15 – Shane Warn – Australia (293 wickets) 

Shane Warne is regarded as one of the greatest leg spinners of all time, and his name is synonymous with the sport of cricket. Warne made his ODI debut for Australia in 1992 and played 194 matches, taking 293 wickets at an average of 25.73. His impressive ODI career included several match-winning performances and he played a crucial role in Australia’s triumph in the 1999 Cricket World Cup. Warne’s incredible bowling skills and charismatic personality made him a fan favorite and a true legend of the sport.

What is ODI cricket?

ODI cricket is a limited-overs format of cricket in which each team plays 50 overs. The game has its roots in the late 1960s, and it was first played in the year 1971. Since then, it has become one of the most popular formats of cricket, and many records have been made and broken in this format.

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Conclusion

Bowlers are unsung cricket heroes, and the ODI format has given many talented bowlers the platform to showcase their skills. Muttiah Muralitharan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis have set the bar high for future generations of bowlers. Spin bowlers like Anil Kumble and Shahid Afridi and pace bowlers like Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee have also left their mark in ODI cricket. These players have shown that anything is possible with dedication, hard work, and talent.

In conclusion, the charts of most ODI wickets are a testament to the bowlers’ skills and contributions to the game. This article has given you a glimpse into the world of ODI cricket’s most thrilling bowlers and their record-breaking performances.

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