One Day Internationals (ODIs), the pinnacle of limited-overs cricket matches, are applauded as the most popular format, cherished by fans across the globe. ODI cricket matches are often dominated by the batsmen with their record-breaking performances but bowlers like Muttiah Muralitharan also etched ineradicable marks in ODI cricket.
From Wasim Akram of Pakistan to Anil Kumble of India has set the benchmark by becoming the highest wicket take in ODI history. Most of these records are still non-breakable even by the world’s top bowlers. Check out here the bowlers with the most wickets in ODI cricket.
Who is the Highest Wicket Taker in ODI History?
Muttiah Muralitharan with 534 wickets in 350 matches holds the record for the most wickets in ODI international cricket. This Sri Lankan star off-break bowler is also a leading wicket-taker in test matches. Muralitharan is followed by Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram who took 502 wickets in 356 matches in this 50-50 match format.
List of Players Who Takes the Most Wickets in ODI Matches
Muttiah Muralitharan leads the list of all-time highest wicket taker in ODI cricket with 534 wickets in 350 matches, followed by Wasim Akram (502) and Waqar Younis (416). Other veterans include Chaminda Vaas (400), Shahid Afridi (395), and Glenn McGrath (381), showcasing their dominance with the ball in the limited-overs format. Here is the complete list of highest wicket takers in ODI all time –
| Player | Country | Matches | Wickets | Best | Economy |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 350 | 534 | 7/30 | 3.93 |
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 356 | 502 | 5/15 | 3.89 |
| Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 262 | 416 | 7/36 | 4.68 |
| Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 322 | 400 | 8/19 | 4.18 |
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 398 | 395 | 7/12 | 4.62 |
| Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 303 | 393 | 6/35 | 3.67 |
| Glenn McGrath | Australia | 250 | 381 | 7/15 | 3.88 |
| Brett Lee | Australia | 221 | 380 | 5/22 | 4.76 |
| Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 226 | 338 | 6/38 | 5.35 |
| Anil Kumble | India | 271 | 337 | 6/12 | 4.3 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 445 | 323 | 6/29 | 4.78 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 247 | 317 | 5/29 | 4.46 |
| Javagal Srinath | India | 229 | 315 | 5/23 | 4.44 |
| Daniel Vettori | New Zealand | 295 | 305 | 5/7 | 4.12 |
| Shane Warne | Australia | 194 | 293 | 5/33 | 4.25 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq | Pakistan | 169 | 288 | 5/20 | 4.29 |
| Makhaya Ntini | South Africa | 173 | 266 | 6/22 | 5.06 |
| Dale Steyn | South Africa | 125 | 196 | 6/3 | 4.14 |
| James Anderson | England | 269 | 194 | 6/23 | 4.82 |
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | 183 | 193 | 6/33 | 4.69 |
Besides Muttiah Muralitharan, only Wasim Akram is able to cross the 500 wickets mark in one-day international cricket. No other international bowler is even close to breaking this mammoth record set by these two veterans. Anil Kumble stands as the only Indian bowler to secure a spot among the top 10 highest wicket takers in ODI cricket history. Kumble, prominently recognized as the orthodox style leg-spin bowling, has taken 337 wickets in 271 matches.
Most Wicket Taker in ODI for India
Anil Kumble takes the most wickets for India in ODI cricket matches with a record 337 wickets in 271 matches. J Srinath and AB Agarkar trailed him with 315 and 288 wickets respectively. In the contemporary bowlers, only R Jadeja crossed the 200 mark with 220 wickets in 197 matches. Here are the top 10 most wicket takers in ODI for India –
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best | Economy |
| Anil Kumble | 271 | 337 | 6/12 | 4.3 |
| Javagal Srinath | 229 | 315 | 5/23 | 4.44 |
| Ajit Agarkar | 191 | 288 | 6/42 | 4.98 |
| Zaheer Khan | 200 | 282 | 5/42 | 4.93 |
| Harbhajan Singh | 236 | 269 | 5/31 | 4.31 |
| Kapil Dev | 225 | 253 | 5/43 | 3.72 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 183 | 220 | 4/36 | 4.88 |
| Irfan Pathan | 120 | 173 | 5/27 | 4.73 |
| Mohammed Shami | 87 | 152 | 4/36 | 5.53 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 121 | 141 | 5/42 | 4.92 |
Most Wickets in Single ODI Match
Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas holds the record for the most wickets in a single ODI match. In 2001, against Zimbabwe, he achieved the extraordinary accomplishment of taking 8 wickets for just 19 runs. He is also the only bowler in ODI international who has taken 8 wickets or more in a single one-day match.
While Muttiah Muralitharan, Waqar Younis, Shahid Afridi, and Glenn McGrath each took 7 wickets in a match. Can anyone break these records of the most wickets in ODI? Test your cricket knowledge by answering similar easy questions and earn rewards with the top cricket prediction app. Make simple predictions, answer yes or no, and turn your insights into exciting rewards.
