Muttiah Muralitharan, the Sri Lankan spin wizard, holds the record for the most wickets in ODI history with an astonishing 534 scalps. Renowned for his unique bowling action and deadly accuracy, Muralitharan dominated batsmen worldwide for over a decade.
Many cricketing legends have left their mark in ODIs with remarkable wicket-taking abilities. Bowlers like Glenn McGrath, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis have showcased exceptional skill and consistency, earning their place among the top wicket-takers in the format.
In this article, we explore the top 10 players with the most wickets in ODI cricket, along with their key ODI statistics.
Bowlers With Most Wickets In ODIs – Top 10
This list highlights the top 10 bowlers who have taken the most wickets in One Day Internationals.
It features legendary players known for their consistency, skill, and mastery of bowling techniques that made them stand out in ODI cricket.
| Position | Player | Country | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 350 | 534 |
| 2 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 356 | 502 |
| 3 | Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 262 | 416 |
| 4 | Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 322 | 400 |
| 5 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 398 | 395 |
| 6 | Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 303 | 393 |
| 7 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 250 | 381 |
| 8 | Brett Lee | Australia | 221 | 380 |
| 9 | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 226 | 338 |
| 10 | Anil Kumble | India | 271 | 337 |
Let’s take a detailed look at these players, their ODI careers, and their impressive wicket-taking tallies.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 350 |
| Span | 1993-2011 |
| Wickets | 534 |
| Average | 23.08 |
| Economy | 3.93 |
| BBI | 7/30 |
Muralitharan was a masterful off-spinner known for his unique bowling action and incredible variations. His ability to turn the ball sharply and deceive batsmen made him the highest wicket-taker in ODI history with 534 wickets.
He consistently troubled batsmen on all kinds of pitches and played a key role in Sri Lanka’s bowling attack for over a decade, combining accuracy with guile to dominate ODI cricket.
2. Wasim Akram
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 356 |
| Span | 1984-2003 |
| Wickets | 502 |
| Average | 23.52 |
| Economy | 3.89 |
| BBI | 5/15 |
Wasim Akram was a left-arm fast bowler renowned for his swing and seam movement, especially lethal with the new ball. His ability to swing the ball both ways made him a constant threat in ODIs.
He took 502 wickets, excelling in all conditions and often breaking crucial partnerships. Akram’s skillful bowling helped Pakistan win key matches and remain competitive throughout his career.
3. Waqar Younis
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 262 |
| Span | 1989-2003 |
| Wickets | 416 |
| Average | 23.84 |
| Economy | 4.68 |
| BBI | 7/36 |
Waqar Younis was a fast bowler famous for his toe-crushing yorkers and devastating pace. His ability to generate reverse swing at high speeds made him one of the most feared bowlers in ODI cricket.
With 416 wickets, Waqar consistently struck early and finished strongly, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s bowling arsenal during his playing years.
4. Chaminda Vaas
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 322 |
| Span | 1994-2008 |
| Wickets | 400 |
| Average | 27.53 |
| Economy | 4.18 |
| BBI | 8/19 |
Chaminda Vaas was a reliable left-arm fast-medium bowler known for his swing and accuracy. He often bowled with pinpoint control, picking wickets through disciplined line and length.
Vaas took 400 ODI wickets, and his skillful bowling in both powerplays and death overs made him a vital part of Sri Lanka’s bowling attack.
5. Shahid Afridi
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 398 |
| Span | 1996-2015 |
| Wickets | 395 |
| Average | 34.51 |
| Economy | 4.62 |
| BBI | 7/12 |
Shahid Afridi, besides his explosive batting, was an effective leg-spinner in ODIs. Known for his aggressive style, Afridi combined wicket-taking abilities with a knack for breaking partnerships.
With 395 wickets, he was a key all-rounder for Pakistan, often turning games around with crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.
6. Shaun Pollock
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 303 |
| Span | 1996-2008 |
| Wickets | 393 |
| Average | 24.50 |
| Economy | 3.67 |
| BBI | 6/35 |
Shaun Pollock was a smooth right-arm fast-medium bowler prized for his consistency and control. His ability to maintain tight lines and lengths made it difficult for batsmen to score freely.
He claimed 393 wickets and was a dependable bowler for South Africa, often containing runs while taking regular wickets throughout his ODI career.
7. Glenn McGrath
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 250 |
| Span | 1993-2007 |
| Wickets | 381 |
| Average | 22.02 |
| Economy | 3.88 |
| BBI | 7/15 |
Glenn McGrath was a fast bowler known for his exceptional accuracy and subtle seam movement. His disciplined approach allowed him to exploit even the smallest mistakes from batsmen.
He took 381 wickets and was a key figure in Australia’s dominance, consistently delivering breakthroughs and controlling the pace of the game.
8. Brett Lee
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 221 |
| Span | 2000-2012 |
| Wickets | 380 |
| Average | 23.36 |
| Economy | 4.76 |
| BBI | 5/22 |
Brett Lee was a fiery fast bowler famous for his express pace and aggressive bowling style. His ability to intimidate batsmen with sheer speed was a trademark of his ODI career.
With 380 wickets, Lee provided crucial early breakthroughs and was instrumental in Australia’s bowling strength, especially in powerplays and death overs.
9. Lasith Malinga
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 226 |
| Span | 2004-2019 |
| Wickets | 338 |
| Average | 28.87 |
| Economy | 5.35 |
| BBI | 6/38 |
Lasith Malinga was known for his distinctive slingy action and deadly yorkers. His ability to bowl pinpoint yorkers in the death overs made him one of the most effective ODI bowlers.
He took 338 wickets, specializing in finishing matches and often dismantling opposition batting line-ups with his precise slower balls and cutters.
10. Anil Kumble
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 271 |
| Span | 1990-2007 |
| Wickets | 337 |
| Average | 30.89 |
| Economy | 4.30 |
| BBI | 6/12 |
Anil Kumble was a leg-spinner renowned for his accuracy and subtle variations rather than big turn. He relied on bounce and pace off the pitch to trouble batsmen.
He claimed 337 wickets and was a workhorse for India, consistently delivering economical spells and crucial wickets in tight ODI contests.
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Conclusion: Muttiah Muralitharan Is the Highest Wicket-Taker in ODIs!
Muttiah Muralitharan’s record of 534 ODI wickets remains unmatched, reflecting his mastery in spin and his ability to dominate across eras and conditions. His legacy is a testament to the effectiveness of spin in the limited-overs format.
This elite list is filled with icons like Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath, and Anil Kumble, whose consistency, skill, and adaptability made them cornerstones of their respective teams’ success. Each bowler brought a unique style that helped shape ODI cricket.
As the game evolves, new talents continue to emerge—but these legends have set a benchmark that inspires generations of bowlers in ODI cricket.
