Bowlers with Most Wickets in ODI Cricket History

The benchmark of most wickets taken in One Day International (ODI) stands as one of the key bowling statistics for bowlers within the realm of the shortest international format. This discipline over the years has logged every such record performance meticulously, giving us a granular understanding of the efficacy and durability of the best cricketers to dare grace a cricket ground. This article carries a data‐driven exploration of the highest number of wickets taken in ODIs, both career aggregate and milestones achieved by the record holders with comparative statistics. 

Bowlers with Most Wickets in ODI Cricket History

Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 534 Wickets

ODI wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan has the most ODI wickets of all time with 534 at the drop of a hat across 350 matches, with an average runs per over conceding just under 23.08 and an economy rate sitting around 3.93. His time was 1993–2011, 10 five-wicket matches and 15 four-wicket hauls. His best bowling figures of 7/30 against India in 2000 display that Muralitharan would take apart a very good batting line-up. His distinctive style of bowling and the control he got with the spin made him a major concern for all-rounders.

Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 502 Wickets

Widely known as the greatest left-arm fast bowler in international cricket, Wasim Akram took 502 wickets in 356 matches with an average of 23.53 and an economy rate of 3.89. His career (1984–2003) illustrated with six five-wicket hauls and 17 four-wicket bouts, he is unquestionably the top left arm break ever. Akram’s best bowling figure was 5/15 against Zimbabwe in 1993 shows that he was an exceptional swing bowler. Akram was one of the key men for Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup victory.

Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 416 Wickets

Waqar Younis (55 wickets at 23.84 average and 4.68 economy rate with unique reverse swing) claimed 416 wickets in 262 matches. He took 13 five-wicket hauls and 14 four-wicket hauls in a career that lasted him from 1989 to 2003. Waqar’s best figures of 7/36 vs England in ODIs in 2001 was one of the most remarkable ODI spells ever in the history of cricket.

Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) – 400 Wickets

Swing and Seam Master Chaminda Vaas’s 322 matches took wickets in, an average of 27.53, and an economy rate of 4.18 Career of Vaas was in first-class cricket over 14 years, (1994–2008) where he chalked up 4 five-wicket hauls and still shares the record for 9 four-wicket hauls. In 2001 he took 8/19 against Zimbabwe, an ODI bowling figure that is never likely to be touched.

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 395 Wickets

Afridi ended with 395 wickets in 398 matches scoring an average below his economy run rate(39.51) and(4.62) with the ball Shahid Afridi. But Afridi did much more in the crease during his Test career (1996 — 2015), which had nine 5-wicket plus hauls & 4 four-figure figures. Afridi achieved 7/12 for his best figures against West Indies in 2013 – The second best ODI figures

Shaun Pollock (South Africa) – 393 Wickets

Shaun Pollock — one of the most accurate ODI bowling machines of all time, taking 393 wickets at 303 matches averaging 24.50 and conceding less than a run an over. His 18-year career seemed to emerge in 1996 and stand as a finish of 2008, boasting 5 five-wicket hauls and 12 four-wicket hauls. Pollock: Best figures of 6/35 against the WI in 1999 showed that he could steer both bat and ball.

Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 381 Wickets

Glenn McGrath with that relentless accuracy and seam movement, took 381 wickets in 250 matches at an average of 22.02 with an economy rate of 3.88 McGrath played from 1993 to 2007, scoring 7 five-wicket hauls and 9 four-wicket hauls. His economical best is still 7/15 against Namibia in a 2003 World Cup innings, possibly the most economical ODI bowling we will ever see.

Brett Lee (Australia) – 380 Wickets

Quick Bounding Brett Lee took 380 wickets at an average of 23.36 and economy rate of 4.76 in just 221 matches (9) Brett Lee was one of the greatest fast bowlers ever to ply his trade in Australia with an allure where he got 380 wickets in his career (2000 – 12) meant to exploit with pace on the wickets as a testament of pace and bounce at Indian leg. 5/22 against South Africa in 2006 was his highest figure, displayed a master class on how to build pace and off the seam.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 338 Wickets

338 wickets in 226 games average were 28.87 and the economy rate of Lasith Malinga: was 5.35, from the ball he vehemently called over and yorker that kept spinning Rohan looking “Malinga: 338 wickets in 226 games average of 28.87 and economy rate of 5.35” Experience (8 five-wicket hauls, 11 four-diallases) from 2004 to 1999 Lasith Malinga took every ball from 2004-19, and was also experienced in the 8 figures of 200 plus wickets. He took best figures of 6/38 against Kenya in 2011 which meant he was capable of bowling on form under pressure.

Anil Kumble (India) – 337 Wickets

Anil Kumble, India’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs amassed 337 wickets at an average of 30.89 and an economy rate of 4.30 in 271 matches Kumble scored a career of 25 years(1990–2007) 3 times five figures and 8 four figures in First class cricket. Most notable by his ability to bowl with the bat on turning tracks, his best figures were 6/12 against West Indies in 1993딯.  

The list of best ODI wicket-takers is a testament to those cricketers who were good, regular and had longevity in their name. From Muralitharan’s spin mastery to Akram’s swinging game, every player has played a pivotal role in their team. Their statistics not only show individual talent but also show that bowling is crucial in one-day cricket. These legends will forever be the yardstick to measure further generations in ODI cricket.