In the famous ODI matches, bowling is very important as batting. Because without a strong bowling team, the other team can easily win. It is crucial to break of the partnership, taking wickets within the super overs, and mitigate the risk of a high score. It is always a bowler’s responsibility to restrict the century in the match. In this blog we will discuss the players who got more wickets and contributed to their team’s success. As of July 2025, the list of highest wicket-takers in ODI history is an homage to these masters of the craft.
Let’s study the top wicket-takers in ODI cricket and what made them superstars of the format. For more statistical blogs, kindly register on the Indibet site.
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 (Pakistan) – 502 Wickets
- Matches: 356
- Average: 23.52
- Best Bowling: 5/15
Wasim Akram is also known as Sultan of Swing. His bowling practise and performance was widely talked. He is the magician of bowling. His mastery of reverse swing and accurate yorkers made him a devastating force, especially in the death overs. Akram’s 502 wickets came against the best in the world, and he remains a yardstick for left-arm pacers.
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.
4. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) – 400 Wickets
- Matches: 322
- Average: 27.53
- Best Bowling: 8/19
Chaminda Vaas was the spearhead of Sri Lanka’s bowling assault for nearly a decade. Known for his swing and accuracy, Vaas holds the record for the best bowling stats in ODIs—8 for 19 against Zimbabwe. His 400 wickets came through tireless discipline and creative variations.
5. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 395 Wickets
- Matches: 398
- Average: 34.51
- Best Bowling: 7/12
While Afridi is often recognized for his blazing hitting, his leg-spin was equally impactful. With 395 wickets, he was a genuine match-winner with the ball. His quick-arm action and ability to extract bounce made him a surprise package in many games.
6. Shaun Pollock (South Africa) – 393 Wickets
- Matches: 303
- Average: 24.50
- Best Bowling: 6/35
Pollock was the ultimate of control and consistency. His ability to bowl tight lines and extract movement made him an important role in South Africa’s bowling squad. With 393 wickets, he was a steady performer in all conditions.
7. Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 381 Wickets
- Matches: 250
- Average: 22.02
- Best Bowling: 7/15
McGrath’s strength resided in his uncanny accuracy. He didn’t rely on pace but on perfection, often aggravating batters into mistakes. His 381 wickets were essential in Australia’s domination in the early 2000s, including multiple World Cup titles.
8. Brett Lee (Australia) – 380 Wickets
Matches: 221
Average: 23.36
Best Bowling: 5/22
One of the quickest bowlers in history, Brett Lee’s raw pace and ferocity made him a crowd favorite. His 380 wickets came through pure speed and a never-say-die attitude. Lee was a consistent wicket-taker in both the powerplay and death overs.
9. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 338 Wickets
- Matches: 226
- Average: 28.87
- Best Bowling: 6/38
Malinga’s flinging style and devastating yorkers made him one of the most unusual bowlers in ODI history. He was a virtuoso of the death overs and the only bowler to take four wickets in four deliveries in ODIs. His 338 wickets include notable match-winning performances in ICC events.
10. Anil Kumble (India) – 337 Wickets
- Matches: 271
- Average: 30.89
- Best Bowling: 6/12
Anil Kumble is one of the great wicket taker in ODI. Anil is known for his bowling accuracy and bouncing of the ball. He gained really 337 wickets with strong deliveries. Kumble was a crucial component in India’s bowling assault throughout the 90s and early 2000s.
Conclusion
These are some of the ODI’s best wicket takes who are known for their great bowling technique and performance. Bowlers are also important as the batsman, so they share equal burden and pressure. Whether it’s Muralitharan’s wizardry, Akram’s swing, or Malinga’s yorkers – each wicket tells a story of plan, skill, and pure will. To read these kind of informative blogs, register on Indibet app.
