Cricket fans often celebrate batsmen’s achievements, but bowlers play an equally crucial role in the game. This article explores the greatest Players with the most wickets in ODI (One Day International) cricket history, looking at career records, series performances, and single-match heroics.
Let’s get started.
Most Wickets in ODI Cricket: Career
The race for ODI wickets has seen many legendary bowlers compete over the years. Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan leads the pack with an incredible 534 wickets. His masterful control and variations made him a nightmare for batsmen worldwide.
Top 30 ODI Wicket Takers:
| Player | Team | Span | Mat | Inns | Overs | Wkts | BBI | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M Muralitharan | SL | 1993-2011 | 350 | 341 | 3135.1 | 534 | 7/30 | 3.93 | 15 | 10 |
| Wasim Akram | PAK | 1984-2003 | 356 | 351 | 3031.0 | 502 | 5/15 | 3.89 | 17 | 6 |
| Waqar Younis | PAK | 1989-2003 | 262 | 258 | 2116.2 | 416 | 7/36 | 4.68 | 14 | 13 |
| WPUJC Vaas | SL | 1994-2008 | 322 | 320 | 2629.1 | 400 | 8/19 | 4.18 | 9 | 4 |
| Shahid Afridi | PAK | 1996-2015 | 398 | 372 | 2945.0 | 395 | 7/12 | 4.62 | 4 | 9 |
| SM Pollock | SA | 1996-2008 | 303 | 297 | 2618.4 | 393 | 6/35 | 3.67 | 12 | 5 |
| GD McGrath | AUS | 1993-2007 | 250 | 248 | 2161.4 | 381 | 7/15 | 3.88 | 9 | 7 |
| B Lee | AUS | 2000-2012 | 221 | 217 | 1864.1 | 380 | 5/22 | 4.76 | 14 | 9 |
| SL Malinga | SL | 2004-2019 | 226 | 220 | 1822.4 | 338 | 6/38 | 5.35 | 11 | 8 |
| A Kumble | IND | 1990-2007 | 271 | 265 | 2416.0 | 337 | 6/12 | 4.30 | 8 | 2 |
| ST Jayasuriya | SL | 1989-2011 | 445 | 368 | 2479.0 | 323 | 6/29 | 4.78 | 8 | 4 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | BAN | 2006-2023 | 247 | 241 | 2095.5 | 317 | 5/29 | 4.46 | 10 | 4 |
| J Srinath | IND | 1991-2003 | 229 | 227 | 1989.1 | 315 | 5/23 | 4.44 | 7 | 3 |
| DL Vettori | NZ | 1997-2015 | 295 | 277 | 2343.2 | 305 | 5/7 | 4.12 | 8 | 2 |
| SK Warne | AUS | 1993-2005 | 194 | 191 | 1773.4 | 293 | 5/33 | 4.25 | 12 | 1 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq | PAK | 1995-2003 | 169 | 165 | 1461.4 | 288 | 5/20 | 4.29 | 11 | 6 |
| AB Agarkar | IND | 1998-2007 | 191 | 188 | 1580.4 | 288 | 6/42 | 5.07 | 10 | 2 |
| Z Khan | IND | 2000-2012 | 200 | 197 | 1682.5 | 282 | 5/42 | 4.93 | 7 | 1 |
| JH Kallis | SA | 1996-2014 | 328 | 283 | 1791.4 | 273 | 5/30 | 4.84 | 2 | 2 |
| AA Donald | SA | 1991-2003 | 164 | 162 | 1426.5 | 272 | 6/23 | 4.15 | 11 | 2 |
| Mashrafe Mortaza | BAN | 2001-2020 | 220 | 220 | 1820.2 | 270 | 6/26 | 4.88 | 7 | 1 |
| JM Anderson | ENG | 2002-2015 | 194 | 191 | 1597.2 | 269 | 5/23 | 4.92 | 11 | 2 |
| Abdul Razzaq | PAK | 1996-2011 | 265 | 254 | 1823.3 | 269 | 6/35 | 4.69 | 8 | 3 |
| Harbhajan Singh | IND | 1998-2015 | 236 | 227 | 2079.5 | 269 | 5/31 | 4.31 | 2 | 3 |
| M Ntini | SA | 1998-2009 | 173 | 171 | 1447.5 | 266 | 6/22 | 4.53 | 8 | 4 |
| N Kapil Dev | IND | 1978-1994 | 225 | 221 | 1867.0 | 253 | 5/43 | 3.71 | 3 | 1 |
| Shoaib Akhtar | PAK | 1998-2011 | 163 | 162 | 1294.0 | 247 | 6/16 | 4.76 | 6 | 4 |
| MA Starc | AUS | 2010-2024 | 125 | 125 | 1071.2 | 241 | 6/28 | 5.27 | 12 | 9 |
| KD Mills | NZ | 2001-2015 | 170 | 169 | 1371.4 | 240 | 5/25 | 4.72 | 8 | 1 |
| MG Johnson | AUS | 2005-2015 | 153 | 150 | 1248.1 | 239 | 6/31 | 4.83 | 9 | 3 |
Most Wickets In An ODI Series
Some bowlers have dominated the entire series with exceptional performances. Glenn McGrath’s 27 wickets in the 1999 Carlton & United Series remains the highest wicket tally in a single ODI series. His consistent line and length troubled batsmen throughout the tournament.
Top 10 Series Performances:
| Name | Team | Mat | Overs | Wkts | Series | BBI | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GD McGrath | AUS | 11 | 101.2 | 27 | Eng/SL 1998/99 | 5/40 | 4.16 |
| MA Starc | AUS | 10 | 92.2 | 27 | WC 2019 | 5/26 | 5.43 |
| GD McGrath | AUS | 11 | 80.5 | 26 | WC 2006/07 | 3/14 | 4.41 |
| DK Lillee | AUS | 14 | 120.0 | 25 | Ind/NZ 1980/81 | 4/32 | 3.05 |
| D Heyliger | CAN | 12 | 100.4 | 25 | WC League 2023/24 | 5/31 | 4.77 |
| Mohammed Shami | IND | 7 | 48.5 | 24 | WC 2023/24 | 7/57 | 5.26 |
| J Garner | WI | 14 | 121.0 | 24 | Aus/Pak 1981/82 | 4/45 | 3.08 |
| WPUJC Vaas | SL | 10 | 88.0 | 23 | WC 2002/03 | 6/25 | 3.76 |
| M Muralidaran | SL | 10 | 84.4 | 23 | WC 2006/07 | 4/19 | 4.14 |
| MA Holding | WI | 12 | 113.3 | 23 | Aus/Pak 1983/84 | 4/26 | 3.62 |
Most Wickets In An ODI Match
The art of taking wickets reaches its peak in single-match performances. Sri Lankan legend Chaminda Vaas holds the record with his incredible 8/19 against Zimbabwe. His swing bowling masterclass remains one of cricket’s finest displays.
Top 10 Single Match Performances:
| Name | Team | Wickets | Runs | Maidens | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPUJC Vaas | SL | 8 | 19 | 3 | Zimbabwe | Colombo | Dec 8, 2001 |
| Shahid Afridi | PAK | 7 | 12 | 3 | West Indies | Providence | Jul 14, 2013 |
| GD McGrath | AUS | 7 | 15 | 4 | Namibia | Potchefstroom | Feb 27, 2003 |
| Rashid Khan | AFG | 7 | 18 | 1 | West Indies | Gros Islet | Jun 9, 2017 |
| PW Hasaranga | SL | 7 | 19 | 1 | Zimbabwe | Colombo | Jan 11, 2024 |
| AJ Bichel | AUS | 7 | 20 | 0 | England | Gqeberha | Mar 2, 2003 |
| C Cassell | SCO | 7 | 21 | 1 | Oman | Dundee | Jul 22, 2024 |
| M Muralidaran | SL | 7 | 30 | 1 | India | Sharjah | Oct 27, 2000 |
| Ali Khan | USA | 7 | 32 | 0 | Jersey | Windhoek | Apr 4, 2023 |
| TG Southee | NZ | 7 | 33 | 0 | England | Wellington | Feb 20, 2015 |
Conclusion: M Muralitharan Has The Most Wickets In ODI Cricket History
The evolution of ODI bowling has seen remarkable achievements across different eras. From Muralitharan’s spin mastery to Wasim Akram’s reverse swing, each bowler brought unique skills to the game. Modern bowlers continue to push boundaries, adapting to new batting techniques and formats.
These records highlight the dedication, skill, and consistency required to succeed at the highest level. While some records may stand the test of time, emerging talents keep raising the bar in international cricket. The art of taking wickets remains fundamental to cricket’s essence, making these achievements truly special.
The statistics also show how bowling styles have evolved, from the fearsome pace of the West Indies era to the modern variety of spin bowling. Each era has produced its champions, contributing to cricket’s rich legacy. As the game continues to evolve, these records serve as benchmarks for future generations of bowlers.
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