List of top 5 bowlers in the ODI World Cup(1975-2022)

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ODI Cricket World is undoubtedly the biggest tournament in cricket and also the biggest stage for the players to record their names in the history books. Players are practicing hard to deliver their best for their respective teams in the upcoming ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, which is happening in India. Bowlers have made significant contributions to their teams, and some bowlers even bowled some of the most remarkable spells that helped their teams clinch the victory in the matches. Here we are going to share the details of the top 5 bowlers who have taken the most wickets in the ODI World Cup since the beginning of the event.

Glenn McGrath(Australia):

Australia’s legendary bowler Glenn McGrath comes at the top of the list of the highest wicket-takers in the ODI World Cup. In the four World Cups he played, he took 71 wickets, which is the highest wicket taken by a bowler in the ODI World Cups till now. In the last ODI World Cup, which he played in 2007, he took a wicket on the penultimate ball he threw, and he won the man of the tournament for his outstanding bowling performance in the World Cup. Australia won their fourth ICC ODI World Cup title that year. His best figure in the World Cup was against Namibia, when he took seven wickets in a match.

Muttiah Muralitharan(Sri Lanka):

Sri Lanka’s legendary bowler and one of the greatest spinners of all time, Muttiah Muralitharan, is at number 2 on the highest wicket takers list. Muralitharan played 39 innings and took 68 wickets. Though he didn’t get any fifer in the World Cup, his best figure in the ODI event was 4/19.

Lasith Malinga(Sri Lanka):

Undoubtedly one of the most impressive pace bowlers in cricket history, Lasith Malinga, with his unorthodox right-arm action and wicket-taking capabilities, has made his name on the list of the highest wicket takers. In the 28 innings he played, he got 56 wickets. With his slinging action, he gave some tough times to the batters. Apart from his toe-crushing yorkers, the control he had in his hands while delivering a slow yorker made him a special bowler and a death-over specialist for the Sri Lankan team.

Wasim Akram(Pakistan):

The “Sultan of Swing” Wasim Akram was one of the most feared bowlers when he was in prime; his reverse swing in the late overs of the match was deadly. Those who faced him in the late overs know how difficult it was to pick Wasim Akram in the late overs. With his lethal bowling, this Pakistani pacer picked 55 wickets in the 36 innings he played in the World Cup (1987–2003).

Mitchell Starc(Australia):

mitchell starc while bowling — Credit- Getty Images/ Twitter

Left-arm bowler Mitchell Starc is another Australian who made his name on the list. With his swinging deliveries and fast action, he de-settles the opening batters and gives early shocks to the opposition, and in the death overs, his pace helps his team in wiping out the tail-enders. He has registered his name as the only bowler with the most number of wickets in a single edition of the World Cup; back in the 2019 World Cup, he scalped 27 wickets, finishing at the top of the table of the wickets taken.