One day Cricket has seen bowlers destroy the most formidable batting line ups. In fact, it started with bowlers being the show-stealers before changing it to be the batsmen friendly format. Even in the era which saw batsmen club run galore, Bowlers have come up with winners tags for their teams. Today, lets see who all feature in the top 10 most wickets in a calendar year.
10. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Former Sri Lanka Cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan has taken the most wickets in international cricket. The off-break bowler, who won Sri Lanka many a matches with his bowling, has scalped 10th most wickets in a calendar year in One dayers.
Muralitharan took 56 wickets from 33 matches in 2001. There were two instances when he took 4 wickets in ODI innings while once he took 5 wickets.
Murali’s best performance was 5/30 during that year when he bowled 29 maidens. He gave away 1019 runs from 308.3 overs. His average of 18.19 is the best of this top 10 list, while at a strike rate of 33.0. Muttiah’s economy rate is also the best among those listed under this record here.
9. Ajit Agarkar (India)
Former India Cricketer Ajit Agarkar has scored the fastest ODI fifty by an Indian. The medium pacer, who was the fastest to 50 ODI wickets, a record he lost to Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka, has scalped 9th most wickets in a calendar year in One dayers.
Agarkar took 58 wickets from 30 matches in 1998. Out of these, there were three instances when he took 4 wickets in ODI innings.
Ajit’s best performance was 4/35 during that year when he bowled 13 maidens. He gave away 1378 runs from 268.5 overs. His average was 23.75, while he took these wickets at a strike rate of 27.8. Ajit’s economy rate of 5.12 is the worst among those listed under this record here.
8. Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
Former Pakistan Bowler Waqar Younis has the best bowling figures as a captain in an ODI. The right-arm fast bowler, who won Pakistan many a matches with his reverse swing, has scalped 8th most wickets in a calendar year in One dayers.
Waqar took 60 wickets from 35 matches in 1996. There were two instances when he took 4 wickets in ODI innings while twice he took 5 wickets as well.
Waqar’s best performance was 6/44 during that year when he bowled 29 maidens. This is the best bowling figures by cricketers listed here. He gave away 1348 runs from 286.5 overs. His average was 22.46, while at a strike rate of 28.6. Younis’ overall economy rate was 4.69 during these 35 matches.
7. Abdul Razzaq (Pakistan)
Former Pakistan All-rounder Abdul Razzaq has hit McGrath for five consecutive fours. The fast medium bowler, who won Pakistan many a matches with all-round performances, has scalped 7th most wickets in a calendar year in One dayers.
Abdul took 61 wickets from 38 matches in 2000. There were three instances when he took 4 wickets in ODI innings while once he took 5 wickets.
Razzaq’s best performance was 5/48 during that year when he bowled 22 maidens. He gave away 1370 runs from 314.5 overs. His average was 22.45, while he took these wickets at a strike rate of 30.9. Razzaq’s overall economy rate was 4.35 through these matches.
6. Shaun Pollock (South Africa)
Former South Africa Cricketer Shaun Pollock has the most ODI wickets when playing at home soil. The fast-medium bowler, who is one of the pioneers of Proteas Cricket, has scalped 6th most wickets in a calendar year in One dayers.
Shaun took 61 wickets from 38 matches in 2000. There were two instances when he took 4 wickets in ODI innings while once he took 5 wickets.
Pollock’s best performance was 5/20 during that year when he bowled 28 maidens. He gave away 1319 runs from 331.3 overs. His average was 21.62, while he took these wickets at a strike rate of 32.6. Shaun’s overall economy rate was little below 4 runs an over through these 38 matches.
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5. Anil Kumble (India)
Former India Cricketer Anil Kumble has taken the most wickets in international cricket by a Indian. The leg-break bowler, Kumble, has scalped 5th most wickets in a calendar year in One dayers.
Anil took 61 wickets from 32 matches in 1996. There were three instances when he took 4 wickets in ODI innings.
Anil’s best performance was 4/12 during that year when he bowled 16 maidens. He gave away 1235 runs from 304.1 overs. His average was little over 20, while he took these wickets at a strike rate of 29.9. Kumble’s overall economy rate was little over 4 during this year.
4. Shane Warne (Australia)
Former Australia Cricketer Shane Warne has taken 293 ODI wickets. The Legendary Cricketer, who is the finest leg-spinner Cricket had, has scalped 4th most wickets in a calendar year in One dayers.
Shane took 62 wickets from 37 matches in 1999. There were two instances when he took 4 wickets in ODI innings.
Warne’s best performance was 4/29 during that year when he bowled 29 maidens. He gave away 1443 runs from 329.1 overs. His average was little over 23, While he took these wickets at a strike rate of 31.8. Warne’s overall economy rate was 4.38 through these matches.
3. Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan)
Former Pakistan Cricketer Saeed Ajmal has taken 184 wickets from 113 ODIs. The off-break bowler has scalped 3rd most wickets in a calendar year in One dayers.
Ajmal took 62 wickets from 33 matches in 2013. There were two instances when he took 4 wickets in ODI innings while once he took 5 wickets.
Saeed’s best performance was 5/24 during that year when he bowled 15 maidens. He gave away 1268 runs from 306.3 overs. His average was 20.45, while he took these wickets at a strike rate of 29.6. Ajmal’s overall economy rate was through the year.
2 & 1. Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan)
Former Pakistan Cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq has taken the 288 wickets in ODI cricket. The off-break bowler, who won Pakistan many a matches with his bowling, is table leader as well as number 2 on most wickets in a calendar year in One dayers.
Saqlain took 65 wickets from 33 matches in 1996, while he took 69 from 36 in 1997. There were two 4 wickets hauls while twice he took 5 wickets as well in 1996. In 1997, the offie thrice recorded a 4-wicket haul while twice 5-wicket hauls.
Saqlain’s best performance was 5/29 in 1996 when he bowled 12 maidens. He gave away 1269 runs from 289.0 overs. His average was little lesser than 20, while he took these wickets at a strike rate of 26.6. Mushtaq’s overall economy rate was 4.39 in 1996.
The bowler’s best performance was 5/38 in 1997 when he bowled 17 maidens. He gave away 1293 runs from 314.2 overs. His average was 18.73, while he took these wickets at a strike rate of little over 27. Mushtaq’s overall economy rate was 4.11 in 1997.