Top 10 Indian bowlers with most wickets in ODI cricket

Only two Indian bowlers have taken more than 300 wickets in ODI cricket.

India stand as one of the powerhouses in world cricket. While they haven’t won a 50-over ICC tournament since 2013, they’ve reached the semi-finals of every 50-over ICC event since the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and their performances in bilateral series have been outstanding.

Indian pitches are usually batting-friendly, making it challenging for bowlers in limited-overs cricket. Small grounds further help batters in posting big scores.

Despite this challenge, several Indian bowlers have delivered match-winning spells to help the team secure victories.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top 10 Indian bowlers with most wickets in ODI cricket.

Top 10 Indian bowlers with most wickets in ODI cricket:

10. Kuldeep Yadav – 174 wickets

Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has quickly risen through the ranks to earn a spot on this elite list, with 174 wickets in 109 games at an average of 26.47, including two five-wicket hauls.

He was given regular opportunities in limited overs cricket post the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 as India experimented the idea to play two wrist spinners to increase the wicket taking threat in the middle overs.

9. Venkatesh Prasad – 196 wickets

Former Indian speedster Venkatesh Prasad picked up 196 wickets across 161 ODIs at an average of 32 and economy rate of 4.67, with one five-for.

Prasad made his ODI debut in 1994 and his last ODI came against Kenya at Gqeberha in 2001.

8. Mohammed Shami – 202 wickets

Speedster Mohammed Shami has claimed 202 wickets in 104 ODIs at an average of 23.63. He holds the record for picking up most five-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler in ODIs with six five-fors to his name. Shami also holds the record for best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in ODIs – 7/57, which he achieved against Sri Lanka in 2023 World Cup.

Shami was the leading wicket-taker of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with 24 wickets in just seven games.

7. Ravindra Jadeja – 226 wickets

Ravindra Jadeja is one of the most underrated Indian bowlers in limited-overs formats. The Gujarat all-rounder has claimed 226 wickets in 200 ODI matches at an average of 35.54, including two fifers.

He played a key role in India’s win at the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets. He was also named Player of the Match in the final for scoring 33 runs and taking two wickets.

6. Kapil Dev – 253 wickets

Considered India’s greatest all-rounder, Kapil Dev finished his ODI career in 1994 with 253 wickets from 225 innings, averaging 27.4 with an economy rate of 3.71. Kapil bagged only one five-wicket haul in his ODI cricket career.

He is best known for leading India to their first-ever ICC Cricket World Cup win in 1983. He is also India’s most successful fast bowler in test cricket, with 434 wickets to his name.

5. Harbhajan Singh – 265 wickets

Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is one of India’s most decorated spinners. He played a key role in India’s title wins at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.

Harbhajan retired with a tally of 265 ODI wickets in 234 matches, taken at an average of 33 and including three five-wicket hauls.

4. Zaheer Khan – 269 wickets

One of India’s all-time greats, Zaheer Khan is the country’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket with 269 wickets in 194 games at an average of 30.

Khan played a key role in India’s World Cup 2011 title-winning campaign, leading the wicket-takers chart with 21 wickets in nine games at an average of 18.

He picked up one fifer in his ODI career.

3. Ajit Agarkar – 288 wickets

Former Indian speedster Agarkar made his debut in 1998 and was seen as a promising young talent for India. Agarkar picked up 288 wickets in ODI cricket in 191 matches at an average of 27, including three five-wicket hauls.

2. Javagal Srinath – 315 wickets

Javagal Srinath’s emergence for India in international cricket marked the beginning of India’s next generation of pace bowling after Kapil Dev.

The Karnataka pacer finished his career with 315 scalps in 229 ODIs at an average of 28 including three five-wicket hauls.

1. Anil Kumble – 334 wickets

Anil Kumble is India’s highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket with 334 wickets in 269 matches at an average of 30 and an economy of 4.3. He took two ODI five-fors.

He was the highest wicket-taker in the 1996 World Cup with 15 wickets. However, Kumble never won a World Cup in his decorated career.

(All stats are updated till 20th February 2025)

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