Highest Wicket Taker in ODI: Top 10 Player

The bowlers take an important role in determining the outcome of matches in the thrilling world of One Day International (ODI) cricket. The ability to regularly take wickets is a sign of an excellent bowler’s skill, and over the years, we have seen some extraordinary maestros whose names are going to live on in the books of cricket mythology. The careers of the top decimators in ODI cricket—those legends who have amassed the maximum number of dismissals in the history of this format—will be examined in this discourse. Let’s honor their achievements and bring back the magic they brought to the game.

Muthiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka has taken the most wickets in one-day international cricket, which is generally viewed as an outstanding achievement given how the game has changed to make it difficult for bowlers to survive, particularly in limited-overs cricket.

Many factors have contributed to the change we witness in cricket today, but it merely offers us more reasons to appreciate bowlers’ talent. These elements include improvements in protective equipment, field restriction powerplays, and most notably, the quick shift in mindset brought on by the expansion of T20 cricket. With the red ball or the white ball, bowling in limited-overs, especially ODIs, has always been a challenging task. Over the years, certain people have completely mastered this complex art, leaving their names in cricket history.

Highest Wicket Taker in ODI Cricket History: Top 10 Bowlers 

Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) | 534 wickets

In both Test and One Day International cricket, Muralitharan has taken the highest number of wickets. On December 3, 2007, Muralitharan overtook Shane Warne to take the record for most Test cricket wickets, overtaking Warne’s previous mark. After overtaking Courtney Walsh’s 519 wickets in 2004, Muralitharan held the record, although he was surpassed by Warne later that year after suffering a shoulder injury.

Wasim Akram (PAK) | 502 wickets

One of the greatest ODI match-winners ever was Wasim Akram, one of the game’s deadliest swing bowlers. For 19 glorious years, he was a match-winner in both the Test and ODI formats. He used his regal flair to make the batsmen dance. Wasim Akram, one of the best left-arm bowlers and the highest wicket-taker in One-Day Internationals for the Pakistan Cricket team, retired in 2003 with a remarkable 502 wickets to his name.

Waqar Younis (PAK) | 416 wickets

Former captain of the Pakistan national cricket team and present cricket coach Waqar Younis are both from Pakistan. He is one of the best cricket bowlers of all time and a right-arm fast bowler. He has taken 416 wickets in more than 262 ODI games.

Chaminda Vaas (SL) | 400 wickets

Chaminda Vaas made up for his absence of pace with metronomic accuracy and regularity. One of the greatest ever new ball bowlers is a seam bowler from Sri Lanka, and in his final ODI match, he became the fourth cricketer to reach 400 wickets in this format. The only other cricketer to take 8 wickets in an ODI innings is a pacer from Sri Lanka.

Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 395 wickets

One of cricket’s most enduring players, Shahid Afridi, first gained popularity in Pakistan in the middle of the 1990s and later rose to become one of the country’s most revered individuals. He left for an international journey in 1996 at the age of 16. Since then, he has shattered numerous national records, and he is currently known as the player with the most ODI wickets. Right-arm leg break bowler Afridi, who competed till 2015, claimed 395 ODI wickets.

Shaun Pollock (SA) | 393 wickets

At that moment, Shaun Pollock was a mesmerizing cricket player who significantly helped his team with both the bat and the ball. With 393 wickets to his name, the former South African skipper ranks sixth among all-time ODI wicket-takers and is still his nation’s leading wicket-taker in international cricket.

Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 381 wickets

Few fast bowlers were as deadly and effective as the Australian icon Glenn McGrath, who frequently won matches. In this format, the amazing seamer took 381 wickets, 71 of which came in World Cups. In addition, he has the top bowling average among the top 10 ODI wicket-takers.

Brett Lee (AUS) | 380 wickets

Brett Lee, one of the game’s fastest bowlers, frightened batsmen with his pace and swing and was recognized as one of the all-time best fast bowlers. No player has taken more wickets in one-day cricket since the turn of the century, beginning with 2000, than Lee’s 380 victims in just 221 games.

Lasith Malinga (SL) | 338 wickets

With his unorthodox side-arm motion, Lasith Malinga attracted a lot of attention, and up until the very end of his career as an international cricket player, he continued to confuse batters. Malinga, was a tremendous match-winner for Sri Lanka in their golden years, with 338 ODI total smashes.

Anil Kumble (India) | 337 wickets

Anil Kumble, a legendary leg-spinner, has claimed 337 ODI wickets for India. Kumble played until his final One Day match in 2008 after making his ODI debut in 1990 against Sri Lanka. Kumble used to bowl quickly with little ball spin, which made it challenging for batsmen to play. With more than 150 wickets, he has the highest bowling average among Indian bowlers. Kumble has also represented India in the most games 269, and he bowled brilliantly with an economy of 4.29.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. In ODI cricket history, who has recorded the most wickets?

Answer. Muttiah Muralitharan, a former Sri Lankan player, holds the record for most ODI wickets with 534 in 350 games and an economy rate of 3.93.

2. Who in ODI cricket has got 100 wickets in the quickest time?

Answer. Rashid Khan, the premier spinner for the Afghanistan cricket team, reached 100 ODI wickets the fastest. He played just 44 matches to accomplish the milestone. The next best pace bowler is Mitchell Starc of Australia, who has taken 100 wickets in just 52 games.

3. Who among the bowlers took his 500th ODI wicket the quickest?

Answer. The quickest ODI player to 500 wickets is Muttiah Muralitharan.

4. Who is the world’s top ODI bowler?

Answer. Mohammad Siraj is the finest ODI bowler in the world. He has 37 wickets in 21 One Day Internationals at an average of 20.73 and a 4.61 economy rate. Siraj picked up nine wickets in the three-match series against Sri Lanka while picking up five in the opening two ODIs of the series against New Zealand.

5. Who has India’s most ODI wickets?

Answer. For India, Anil Kumble holds the record for most ODI wickets taken. In 271 ODIs, he grabbed 337 wickets at an average of 30.89 and a 4.3 economy rate.

6. Who has the most ODI wickets for women?

Answer. The first female cricketer to ever hold the record for most ODI wickets is India’s Jhulan Goswami. In 204 ODI games, she has collected 250 wickets at an average of 22.04.