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The bowlers play a crucial role in changing the momentum of the team in ODI cricket. Throughout the years, there have been several players who have ruled in ODI cricket with their bowling and have finished amongst the highest wicket-takers in ODIs.
There have been several match-winning performances by the bowlers in ODI cricket throughout the years. In the following listicle, we will discuss about the 10 bowlers to take most wickets in ODIs.
Most wickets in ODI cricket
10. Anil Kumble - 337 wickets
Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble excelled in Test cricket with his bowling but has also been impressive while bowling in ODIs. The former cricketer has taken 337 wickets in 271 ODI matches from 1990 to 2007.
9. Lasith Malinga - 338 wickets
Former Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga has been popular for his toe-crushing yorkers that helped him to get success in his international cricket. Malinga has taken 338 wickets in 226 ODI matches for Sri Lanka from 2004 to 2019.
8. Brett Lee - 380 wickets
One of Australia’s greats, Brett Lee comes eighth in the list of players to take most wickets in ODI cricket. The former right-arm pacer took 380 wickets in 221 ODIs for Australia from 2000 to 2012.
7. Glenn McGrath - 381 wickets
Another legendary fast bowler from Australia, Glenn McGrath has been Australia’s main pacer in the decade of 1990s and 2000s. The former cricketer has taken 381 wickets his career of 250 ODIs for Australia from 1993 to 2007.
6. Shaun Pollock - 393 wickets
Former South African all-rounder, Shaun Pollock is the sixth player to take most wickets in ODI cricket. The right-arm pacer has taken 393 scalps in his career of 303 ODI matches for Australia from 1996 to 2008.
5. Shahid Afridi - 395 wickets
Former Pakistani skipper, Shahid Afridi has been Pakistan’s constant with both bat and ball. The former cricketer took 395 wickets from 398 matches in his ODI career from 1996 to 2015.
4. Chaminda Vaas - 400 wickets
Former Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas was among the top pacers for the country in the decade of 2000s. He finished his ODI career with 400 wickets in 322 matches from 1994 to 2008.
3. Waqar Younis - 416 wickets
Pakistan has produced some of the greatest fast bowlers in the world with Waqar Younis being one of them, who was known for his pace and accuracy. The former right-arm fast bowler has taken 416 in his career of 262 ODIs for Pakistan 1989 to 2003.
2. Wasim Akram - 502 wickets
Another legendary pacer from Pakistan, Wasim Akram was the first-ever bowler to reach the milestone of 500 wickets in ODI cricket. The former cricketer took 502 wickets in 356 ODIs for Pakistan from 1984 to 2003.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan - 534 wickets
The highest wicket-taker of all time in international cricket, former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has also taken most wickets in ODIs. The former cricketer has taken 534 in 350 matches of his ODI career from 1993 to 2011.
