Top 5: Most Wickets for India in ODI Cricket

ODI cricket is a format of adaptation, evolution, and success in different conditions. Thus, it puts a task well enough for the bowlers as they are expected to take wickets, and at the same time contain runs when batsmen turn on aggressive mode.

Over the years, India has given the world some brilliant bowlers who have had a definite say in changing the ODI cricket scenario and helping the country win by dint of their skills, control, and sublime potential for changing the direction of any given match.

Ever since the 1990s, people like Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan, and Harbhajan Singh have created a niche for themselves. Not only did they pick up vital wickets, but this outstanding control over economy rates nailed down places for them in India’s bowling attack.

Let’s take a closer look at these five remarkable bowlers who have taken the most wickets for India in ODI cricket.

5. Harbhajan Singh – 265 Wickets

Harbhajan Singh, popularly known as the “Turbanator,” has been one of the most successful spinners for India in ODIs. He took 265 wickets in his 234 matches long career which is in itself a brilliant record. His off-spin, with both bounce and accuracy, made him a continuing problem for batsmen, particularly during the middle overs.

With an economy rate of 4.30, Harbhajan demonstrated his effectiveness in managing the game and exerting pressure on opposing teams. His never-give-up attitude made him a stubborn bowler because of which Harbhajan used to come and get crucial wickets at the important course of the match.

4. Zaheer Khan – 269 Wickets

Zaheer Khan was India’s most trusted fast bowler in the 2000s, with 269 wickets from 194 ODIs. Zaheer’s strength was his ability to swing the ball both ways, making him deadly at the start of the innings.

Zaheer’s ability to reverse swing the ball even in the SENA countries provided the necessary boost to the team India’s bowling attack and his yorkers often used to prove deadly in the death overs and helped team India in getting crucial breakthroughs towards the end of the play.

Zaheer Khan’s economy rate of 4.95 highlights the reason why Zaheer is so highly regarded in Indian bowling. He was not only specialised in taking crucial breakthroughs for his team but also used to constraint the batsman of the opponent team to go big against him and made sure that the run flow does not get past the dangerous levels.

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3. Ajit Agarkar – 288 Wickets

Ajit Agarkar was a fast-bowling all-rounder known for his ability to pick up wickets when the team required them most. In his 191 ODIs, he claimed 288 wickets, making him a vital member of the Indian team in the early 2000s.

Agarkar’s ability to swing the ball in both directions made him a potent threat with the new ball, and he was equally effective during the death overs.

Although his economy rate of 5.07 was on the higher side, Agarkar’s skill in breaking partnerships and picking wickets at crucial moments made him a key figure in India’s bowling line-up. He had the ability to turn games around with quick strikes, adding depth to India’s bowling attack during his era.

2. Javagal Srinath – 315 Wickets

Javagal Srinath, one of India’s finest fast bowlers, was the mainstay of the Indian pace attack during the 90s. With 315 wickets from 229 ODIs, Srinath ranks second among India’s leading wicket-takers. He was known for his pace, accuracy, and ability to swing the ball, making him a nightmare for opposing batsmen.

Even though he often bowled on Indian pitches that didn’t always favour pace, Srinath’s economy rate of 4.44 shows his discipline. He played a key role in several World Cup campaigns for India, especially in 1996 and 2003, where his experience and sharp bowling were instrumental to India’s performance.

1. Anil Kumble – 334 Wickets

Anil Kumble, an iconic figure in Indian cricket, holds the record as the nation’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs, having claimed 334 wickets across 269 matches. Unlike the other leg spinners, Kumble was not only dependent on only one or two variations, instead, he used to have a bunch of variations in his pocket.

Anil Kumble not only upgraded his bowling tactics during the course of years but also refined his skills which made him stand out from the rest of the bowlers and permitted Kumble to have such a long period.

Over a distinguished career spanning 17 years, Kumble emerged as the primary bowler for India during the 1990s and early 2000s. His impressive economy rate of 4.29 showcases Kumble’s reliability and discipline in both the formats of the game no matter what the situation was.

While often regarded primarily as a Test specialist, his contributions in ODIs cannot go unnoticed. Kumble’s ability to provide crucial breakthroughs at important occasions made him a go-to bowler for his captain.