One Day International cricket has produced some of the best bowling performances. One of ODI cricket’s most coveted records, the highest wickets, shows great bowlers’ skill, stamina, and adaptability.
Bowlers must mix economy rates with wicket-taking skills and adapt to changing match conditions in the 50-over format. This detailed overview covers the ODI bowlers with the most wickets and their incredible travels. Register on the 96 app for more ODI related blogs.
The Record Holder: Muttiah Muralitharan (534 Wickets)
Muttiah Muralitharan has the most ODI wickets with 534 in 350 matches. The Sri Lankan off-spinner’s 1993–2011 career transformed limited-overs spin bowling.
Major Achievements:
- 534 ODI wickets – All-time record 23.08 bowling average – High efficiency
- 3.93 economy—great control
- 10 ODI five-wicket hauls
- Led Sri Lanka to 1996 World Cup win
Muralitharan’s success came from picking up turn and bounce from every surface. His revolutionary bowling action created drift, dip, and sharp turn that confused batsmen worldwide. His doosra variety threatened left- and right-handed batsmen equally.
The Sultan of Swing: Wasim Akram (502 Wickets)
Wasim Akram has 502 ODI wickets in 356 matches, second most. With his rapid two-way swing, the Pakistani left-arm fast bowler revolutionized fast bowling.
Career Highlights:
- 502 ODI wickets, 2nd highest all-time,
- 23.52 bowling average,
- 3.89 economy rate,
- 6 five-wicket hauls,
- 1992 World Cup winner and leading wicket-taker.
A master of reverse swing, Akram was unplayable in middle and death overs in subcontinent conditions. His relentless yorkers in vital closing overs made him the most feared death bowler of his time.
Top 10 Highest Wicket-Takers in ODI Cricket
| Rank | Bowler | Country | Wickets | Matches | Average | Economy |
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 534 | 350 | 23.08 | 3.93 |
| 2 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 502 | 356 | 23.52 | 3.89 |
| 3 | Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 416 | 262 | 23.84 | 4.68 |
| 4 | Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 400 | 322 | 27.53 | 4.18 |
| 5 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 395 | 398 | 34.51 | 4.62 |
| 6 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 381 | 250 | 22.02 | 3.88 |
| 7 | Brett Lee | Australia | 380 | 221 | 23.36 | 4.76 |
| 8 | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 338 | 226 | 28.87 | 5.35 |
| 9 | Anil Kumble | India | 337 | 271 | 30.89 | 4.30 |
| 10 | Saqlain Mushtaq | Pakistan | 288 | 169 | 21.78 | 4.29 |
Waqar Younis (416 Wickets)
Waqar Younis has 416 ODI wickets, third most. In the 1990s, the right-arm fast bowler and Wasim Akram terrorized batting lineups with their deadly bowling combo.
Bowling Specialties:
- 90+ mph toe-crushing yorkers
- Reverse swing mastery with old balls Death bowling expertise
- 23.84 bowling average 13 5-wicket hauls
Waqar excelled at death bowling, as his yorker made batsmen trying boundaries in late overs untenable. His spectacular reverse swing made him threatening in ODI innings.
Sri Lankan Pace Excellence: Chaminda Vaas (400 Wickets)
Instead of speed, Chaminda Vaas took 400 ODI wickets with precision, movement, and intelligence. The consistent left-arm medium-pacer was one of cricket’s most economical and efficient ODI bowlers.
Main strengths:
- New-ball swing bowling
- Line and length consistency
- 27.53 average bowling
- 4.18 economy rate
- Crucial to Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup triumph
Modern Era Death Bowling: Lasith Malinga (338 Wickets)
Lasith Malinga’s round-arm motion and yorker variants revolutionized death bowling, taking 338 ODI wickets in an era of aggressive batting.
Innovations:
- Round-arm bowling
- Repeatable yorker accuracy
- Slower ball changes
- Specialist dies
- Four wickets in four balls (2007 World Cup)
Malinga’s yorker accuracy helped him contain aggressive batting attacks in vital overs, while his unusual action gave batsmen difficult angles.
Records and Milestones in ODI Bowling
Best Bowling Figures:
8/19 – Chaminda Vaas vs Zimbabwe (2001)
7/15 – Glenn McGrath vs Namibia (2003)
6/12 – Anil Kumble vs West Indies (1993)
6/14 – Wasim Akram vs West Indies (1990)
Fastest to Milestones:
100 wickets: Brett Lee (52 matches)
200 wickets: Saqlain Mushtaq (104 matches)
300 wickets: Waqar Younis (163 matches)
400 wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan (225 matches)
World Cup Performances:
Most wickets in single World Cup: 26 – Glenn McGrath (2007)
Career World Cup wickets: 68 – Glenn McGrath
Best economy in World Cup: 3.36 – Glenn McGrath
Conclusion
Muttiah Muralitharan’s 534 ODI wickets are cricket’s best bowling record. The Sri Lankan spinner’s career shows the ideal mix of skill, longevity, and adaptability for international cricket success.
Wasim Akram’s 502 wickets set the pace bowling standard, and his ideas impacted generations of fast bowlers. The highest ODI wickets list includes famous bowlers who excelled in swing and spin.
As fresh generations of bowlers strive to emulate cricket’s best wicket-takers, the pursuit of ODI’s highest wickets continues. If you want to read these kind of informative and statistical blogs, register on 96IN site.
