The 13th edition of the ODI World Cup is set to kick off on October 5, with previous edition finalists New Zealand and England facing each other. India will host the prestigious 50-over tournament at 10 different venues. The wicket-takers in ODI World Cup, Fans are eagerly waiting to witness some extraordinary actions of their favourite teams and players.
Flipping through the pages of history books, there have been numerous instances of bowlers terrorizing batters with cracking deliveries. While the batters win the game with big scores and partnerships, the bowlers provide crucial breakthroughs to turn the tide. As we head into such exciting battles in the coming days, let’s take a look at the players who have taken the most wickets in ODI World Cup history.
Here are the Highest wicket-takers in ODI World Cup history:
10. Trent Boult (39)
The backbone of the New Zealand pace attack, Trent Boult is currently ranked 10th in the list but has every chance of moving up to at least sixth position as he is set to play in the 2023 edition. Though Boult, who played the 2015 and 2019 editions, has grabbed 39 wickets in 19 innings, including one five-wicket haul and three four-wicket hauls.
9.Imran Tahir (40)
Imran Tahir is only the second spinner to feature in this elite list of bowlers. The Proteas right-arm leg break bowler has taken 40 wickets in 21 World Cup innings from 2011 to 2019. He has recorded one five-wicket haul and four four-wicket hauls with best figures of 5/45.
8.Javagal Srinath (44)
Javagal Srinath, the first Indian fast bowler to take more than 300 wickets in ODI cricket, was also impressive in the World Cup. However, The right-arm seamer played 33 World Cup innings from 1992-2003, picking up 44 wickets with best bowling figures of 4/30.
7.Zaheer Khan (44)
One of the finest bowlers Indian cricket has ever seen, Zaheer Khan has taken 44 wickets in 23 World Cup innings. At an economy rate of 4.47, Zaheer struggled the top-class batters with his sheer left-arm pace. He recorded just one four-wicket haul in his WC career from 2003-2011.
6.Chaminda Vaas (49)
Chaminda Vaas is the third Sri Lankan bowler to feature in this elite list. The left-arm medium-pace bowler took 49 wickets in 31 World Cup innings from 1996-2007. He has recorded one five-wicket and one four-wicket haul in the premier 50-over tournament, with best bowling figures of 6/25.
5.Mitchell Starc (49)
The Australian left-arm pacer is the only active cricketer in the top 5 list of highest wicket-takers in World Cup history. He has accumulated 49 wickets in 18 innings, including three five-wicket hauls and as many as four-wicket hauls. The 33-year-old, who has played two World Cup editions, recorded his best bowling figures of 6/28 in 2015.
4.Wasim Akram (55)
Regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Wasim Akram has grabbed 55 wickets in his 36 World Cup innings from 1987-2003. Often hailed as ‘The Sultan of Swing’, the Pakistani pacer has recorded one five-wicket haul and two four-wicket hauls, with best bowling figures of 5/28.
3.Lasith Malinga (56)
The Sri Lanka great, who terrorised world-class batters with his toe-crushing yorkers, has claimed 56 wickets in 28 World Cup innings. Known for his unorthodox sling action, Malinga also holds the record for most hat-tricks in the World Cup. He has registered one five-wicket haul and two four-wicket hauls, with best bowling figures of 6/38.
2.Muthiah Muralidaran (68)
The leading wicket-taker in ODIs and Tests, Muthiah Muralidaran is next to McGrath with 68 wickets from 40 World Cup matches. The legendary spinner was part of the 1996 Sri Lankan team that won the World Cup. He has recorded four four-wicket hauls and his best bowling figures are 4/19.
1.Glenn McGrath (71)
One of the deadliest fast bowlers of all time, Glenn McGrath is the leading wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup history. Known for his accuracy and consistency, the right-arm pacer has an incredible record of 71 World Cup wickets in 39 innings, with best bowling figures of 7/15. McGrath, who was instrumental in Australia’s consecutive World Cup wins in 1999, 2003 and 2007, has registered two five-wicket hauls in his WC career from 1996-2007.
Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023:
| No | Bowler | Team | Wkts | Mat | Ovs | BBI | Balls | Avg | Ecn | R | 4-Fers | 5-Fers |
| 1 | Mohammed Shami | IND | 24 | 7 | 48.5 | 7/57 | 293 | 10.71 | 5.26 | 257 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Adam Zampa | AUS | 23 | 11 | 96 | 4/8 | 576 | 22.39 | 5.36 | 515 | 3 | — |
| 3 | Dilshan Madushanka | SL | 21 | 9 | 78.2 | 5/80 | 470 | 25 | 6.7 | 525 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | Jasprit Bumrah | IND | 20 | 11 | 91.5 | 4/39 | 551 | 18.65 | 4.06 | 373 | 1 | — |
| 5 | Gerald Coetzee | SA | 20 | 8 | 63.3 | 4/44 | 381 | 19.8 | 6.24 | 396 | 1 | — |
| 6 | Shaheen Afridi | PAK | 18 | 9 | 81 | 5/54 | 486 | 26.72 | 5.94 | 481 | — | 1 |
| 7 | Marco Jansen | SA | 17 | 9 | 69 | 3/31 | 414 | 26.47 | 6.52 | 450 | — | — |
| 8 | Ravindra Jadeja | IND | 16 | 11 | 93.3 | 5/33 | 561 | 24.88 | 4.26 | 398 | — | 1 |
| 9 | Josh Hazlewood | AUS | 16 | 11 | 93.1 | 3/38 | 559 | 28.06 | 4.82 | 449 | — | — |
| 10 | Mitchell Santner | NZ | 16 | 10 | 92.4 | 5/59 | 556 | 28.06 | 4.85 | 449 | — | 1 |
| 11 | Mitchell Starc | AUS | 16 | 10 | 87 | 3/34 | 522 | 33 | 6.07 | 528 | — | — |
| 12 | Haris Rauf | PAK | 16 | 9 | 79 | 3/43 | 474 | 33.31 | 6.75 | 533 | — | — |
| 13 | Bas de Leede | NED | 16 | 9 | 67 | 4/62 | 402 | 30.44 | 7.27 | 487 | 1 | — |
| 14 | Keshav Maharaj | SA | 15 | 10 | 89 | 4/46 | 534 | 24.67 | 4.16 | 370 | 1 | — |
| 15 | Kuldeep Yadav | IND | 15 | 11 | 95.1 | 2/7 | 571 | 28.27 | 4.46 | 424 | — | — |