Top 5: Best Bowling Figures in ODI Cricket

Cricket is a game that is dominated by batsmen, especially in One-Day Internationals (ODI), where things such as big hits, individual centuries, and big scores carry the theme.

But then there are always certain bowlers who decide that it is their turn to take the upper hand and crush the batsmen.

An influential ‘spell’, particularly those when a bowler takes charge, is as good as a thrilling ‘knock’. When a bowler goes through the ranks and rips through the opposition, nothing is sweeter to the eye. 

Here it is worthwhile to discuss the five best bowling figures in the history of ODI cricket. 

5. Wanindu Hasaranga: 7/19 vs Zimbabwe | Colombo, 2024

There can be nothing more magical than Wanindu Hasaranga’s bowling in the 2024 ODI series against Zimbabwe, where he took a total of 7 for 19. His leg spin was fascinating, and he bowled both ideal line and length consistently.

Zimbabwe’s batsmen were going haywire, unable to counter Hasaranga’s timid side, and wickets tumbled frequently.  Hasaranga’s spell wasn’t a mere wicket-taking spell; it was more of a dominating spell.

His bowling created pressure right from the time he started the operation, and Zimbabwe never found its measure against him. That was some serious spin bowling, and it reinforced Hasaranga’s status as one of the best spin bowlers in the game.

4. Rashid Khan: 7/18 vs West Indies | Gros Islet, 2017

Coming through the ranks as one of the best leg-spinners, Rashid Khan’s series-defining performance was his 7-fer against the West Indies in 2017.

The West Indian batsmen had no answer to the array of leg spin and googly. Most of his variations were feints, and the West Indies had no clue how to defend themselves against him. 

Rashid’s stepping across to turn the ball sharply and not being predictable by changing the angle kept the batsmen on the back foot, and they were finally defeated by him.

Rashid’s masterclass at just 18 years of age was over the top — it was an announcement not only of himself but of Afghan cricket as well. That was undoubtedly one of the greatest ODI spells of all time. 

3. Glenn McGrath: 7/15 vs Namibia | Potchefstroom, 2003

Namibia was the lucky recipient of the great Glenn McGrath during the 2003 Cricket World Cup when he captured 7 wickets off his classic, accurate, and disciplined bowling. In 7 overs, 4 of which were maiden, McGrath obtained 7 wickets for 15 runs only.

Namibia’s batsmen had no reply to McGrath’s accurate line and length. He didn’t have to bowl the express pace or massive swing — it was his mean line and length that got the better of them. 

Of special note was McGrath, who proved here to be extremely effective right from the ball one. He bowled a stump-to-stump line and did not give anything away, and the Namibian batsmen wilted under pressure. McGrath’s spell is the best example of how mastery of control and discipline can become a total mastery of the game. 

Also Read | Top 10: Best Bowling Figures in T20 World Cup History

 2. Shahid Afridi: 7/12 runs vs West Indies | Providence, 2013

Apart from being a hard-hitting batsman, Afridi demonstrated how powerful a bowler he was in an ODI match against the West Indies in 2013. Despite Afridi’s brief batting display, he came into his own as a bowler, delivering figures of 7 for 12.

The West Indies were devastated. It seldom happens that everything goes like a clock for you, and this was one of those promising moments for him. 

That day, Afridi was a terror, and his leg-spin was unplayable. He easily outthought the West Indian batsmen using his googlies as well as his quicker deliveries.

They were indecisive about his intentions, and wickets continued to tumble. It was Afridi’s spell; to this date, it is remembered to be one of the most dominating bowling ever seen in an ODI match.

 1. Chaminda Vaas: 8/19 vs Zimbabwe | Colombo, 2001 

Chaminda Vaas gave the best bowling performance in ODI cricket history when he dismantled the Zimbabwe batsmen in 2001. In the first 8 overs of his bowling, 3 of them were maiden overs; Vaas captured 8 wickets for 19 runs only.

Zimbabwe were never going to have a chance. Vaas once again was showing that he bowls a line and length; both swing and seam were operative, and he got his lines right on the bat. Whenever he entered, the feeling was that he would soon get a wicket. 

What could have made this spell even more special was not just the wickets, but the fact that Vaas outright dominated the game. Their Zimbabwean counterparts seemed to have no answer to the swing and movement that was on offer.

When he was through, there was nothing that could be done. Vaas bowled what would still be considered one of the most devastating spells ever witnessed in an ODI.