by Cricket is a game of bat and ball. But without great bowlers, the game would be incomplete.
Wickets are everything in cricket. A bowler who can take wickets regularly becomes a legend.
Over the years, many bowlers have amazed us with their skill. Some used speed, some used spin, and some used smart variations.
These bowlers changed matches and won games for their teams.
Highest Wicket Taker in International Cricket
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Let’s dive into the world of cricket’s greatest wicket-takers.
All the comprehensive data, statistics, and detailed information presented in this article have been carefully compiled from Cricketbureau.com — A trusted and reliable platform that provides accurate, updated cricket stats and records.
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Top 10 Highest Wicket Takers in International Cricket
When we talk about the highest wicket taker in international cricket, we mean bowlers who have taken the most wickets across all three formats — Test, ODI, and T20I.
Here is the ultimate table of the top 10 highest wicket takers in international cricket:
| Rank | Player | Country | Total Wickets | Test | ODI | T20I |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 1347 | 800 | 534 | 13 |
| 2 | Shane Warne | Australia | 1001 | 708 | 293 | – |
| 3 | James Anderson | England | 991 | 704 | 269 | 18 |
| 4 | Anil Kumble | India | 956 | 619 | 337 | – |
| 5 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 949 | 563 | 381 | 5 |
| 6 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 916 | 414 | 502 | – |
| 7 | Stuart Broad | England | 847 | 604 | 178 | 65 |
| 8 | Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 829 | 421 | 393 | 15 |
| 9 | Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 789 | 373 | 416 | – |
| 10 | Tim Southee | New Zealand | 776 | 391 | 221 | 164 |
Let’s talk about each of these legends.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan – The Spin King
Muralitharan is simply unbeatable. He took 1347 wickets in international cricket. No one comes close. His off-spin was magical. Batsmen struggled to read his doosra. He dominated on Sri Lankan pitches and also performed abroad. Murali played from 1992 to 2011 and remains the greatest wicket-taker ever.
2. Shane Warne – The Leg-Spin Legend
Shane Warne brought leg-spin back to life. He took 1001 wickets, which is incredible. His “Ball of the Century” to Mike Gatting in 1993 is still unforgettable. Warne was a match-winner for Australia. He played until 2007 and inspired a generation of spinners.
3. James Anderson – The Swing Master
James Anderson is England’s pride. With 991 wickets, he is the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers. Anderson uses swing beautifully. English conditions suit him perfectly. He started in 2003 and played until 2024. His longevity is remarkable.
4. Anil Kumble – India’s Spin Warrior
Anil Kumble took 956 wickets for India. He was not a spinner who turned the ball a lot. Instead, he used speed and bounce. Kumble’s 10-wicket haul in an innings (10/74) is legendary. He played from 1990 to 2008 and carried India’s bowling for years.
5. Glenn McGrath – The Accurate Machine
Glenn McGrath was all about line and length. He took 949 wickets for Australia. McGrath was deadly in big tournaments. He won three World Cups. His accuracy made him nearly unplayable. He retired in 2007 after a brilliant career.
6. Wasim Akram – The Sultan of Swing
Wasim Akram is Pakistan’s greatest bowler. He took 916 wickets. Wasim could swing the ball both ways. His yorkers were deadly. He was a left-arm fast bowler who could bat too. Wasim played from 1984 to 2003 and remains a legend.
7. Stuart Broad – England’s Strike Bowler
Stuart Broad finished with 847 wickets. He was aggressive and took wickets in clusters. His 8/15 against Australia at Trent Bridge is unforgettable. Broad played alongside Anderson and formed one of cricket’s best pace duos. He retired in 2023.
8. Shaun Pollock – South Africa’s Reliable Pacer
Shaun Pollock took 829 wickets. He was consistent and economical. Pollock could bowl long spells without tiring. He also contributed with the bat. He played from 1995 to 2008 and was a true all-format star.
9. Waqar Younis – The Yorker King
Waqar Younis took 789 wickets. He was famous for his deadly yorkers at high speed. Along with Wasim Akram, he formed Pakistan’s dangerous pace attack. Waqar played from 1989 to 2003 and terrorized batsmen worldwide.
10. Tim Southee – New Zealand’s Modern Great
Tim Southee has 776 wickets and counting. He is a swing bowler who performs in all formats. Southee is New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is. He started in 2008 and continues to add to his tally.
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Highest Wicket Taker in All Formats
Taking wickets across Test, ODI, and T20I formats is tough. Each format has different challenges. Tests are long and need patience. ODIs need variation. T20s need quick strikes.
Muttiah Muralitharan is the undisputed king of all formats. He took wickets in all three formats and finished with 1347 total wickets.
Here’s a mini comparison of the top 3 all-format legends:
| Player | Total Wickets | Formats Played | Career Span |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 1347 | Tests, ODI, T20I | 1992–2011 |
| Shane Warne | 1001 | Tests, ODI | 1992–2007 |
| James Anderson | 991 | Tests, ODI, T20I | 2003–2024 |
Key Points:
- Muralitharan took 800 wickets in Tests — the most ever.
- Warne followed with 708 Test wickets.
- Anderson is still among the top even as a fast bowler.
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Highest Wicket-Taker in Test Cricket
Test cricket is the toughest format. Bowlers need stamina, skill, and patience. Taking wickets in Tests builds a legacy.
Here are the top 5 highest wicket-takers in Test cricket:
| Rank | Player | Country | Test Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 800 |
| 2 | Shane Warne | Australia | 708 |
| 3 | James Anderson | England | 704 |
| 4 | Anil Kumble | India | 619 |
| 5 | Stuart Broad | England | 604 |
Why These Bowlers Dominated Tests:
- Muralitharan’s dominance came from his ability to spin the ball on any pitch. He took wickets on turning Sri Lankan tracks and even on flat pitches abroad.
- Shane Warne’s magic with leg-spin made him a nightmare for batsmen. Australian pitches suited his style, but he also performed in Asia and England.
- James Anderson’s longevity and mastery of swing bowling in English conditions made him a Test great. He could reverse swing the old ball and trouble even the best batsmen.
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Most Wickets in ODI Cricket
ODI cricket is faster than Tests but longer than T20s. Bowlers need to take wickets and also control runs.
Here’s the table of the most wickets in ODI cricket:
| Rank | Player | Country | ODI Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 534 |
| 2 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 502 |
| 3 | Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 416 |
| 4 | Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 400 |
| 5 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 395 |
Key Points:
- Muralitharan also leads ODIs with 534 wickets.
- Wasim and Waqar were Pakistan’s most deadly pace pair.
- Chaminda Vaas remains Sri Lanka’s best left-arm bowler.
Spinners like Muralitharan and Afridi dominated because the slower pitches in the subcontinent helped them. But fast bowlers like Wasim and Waqar used swing and reverse swing to deadly effect.
Most Wickets in T20 Cricket
T20 cricket is the shortest format. Matches are only 20 overs per side. Taking wickets is harder because batsmen attack from ball one.
Here are the top wicket-takers in T20I cricket:
| Rank | Player | Country | T20I Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Southee | New Zealand | 164 |
| 2 | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 149+ |
| 3 | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 130+ |
| 4 | Ish Sodhi | New Zealand | 120+ |
| 5 | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 107 |
Why T20 Wickets Are Special:
- Shakib Al Hasan is one of the highest wicket-takers in T20Is. He is an all-rounder who bowls left-arm spin smartly.
- Lasith Malinga was the first bowler to take 100 wickets in T20I cricket. His slinging action and yorkers made him deadly in death overs.
- T20 wickets are harder to get because batsmen take more risks. Bowlers need variations like slower balls, yorkers, and bouncers.
Highest Wicket Taker in International Cricket All Time
“All-time” means combining wickets from all formats across all eras. It includes bowlers from the 1980s to today.
Muttiah Muralitharan is the all-time leader with 1347 wickets. No bowler has come close to breaking this record.
Modern bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Mitchell Starc are rising. They may enter the top 10 list in the future.
Comparing Old and Modern Bowlers:
| Era | Bowler | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s–2000s | Muralitharan, Warne | Spin mastery, long careers |
| 2000s–2010s | Anderson, McGrath | Swing and accuracy |
| 2010s–Present | Ashwin, Bumrah, Starc | All-format success, variations |
Highest Wicket Taker in International Cricket for India
India has produced some amazing bowlers. Spin has always been India’s strength.
Here’s the table of India’s highest wicket-takers:
| Rank | Indian Player | Wickets | Formats | Career Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anil Kumble | 956 | Tests, ODIs | 1990–2008 |
| 2 | Ravichandran Ashwin | 700+ | Tests, ODIs, T20Is | 2011–Present |
| 3 | Harbhajan Singh | 707 | Tests, ODIs, T20Is | 1998–2016 |
| 4 | Zaheer Khan | 610 | Tests, ODIs, T20Is | 2000–2014 |
| 5 | Javagal Srinath | 551 | Tests, ODIs | 1991–2003 |
Why Indian Bowlers Excel:
- Anil Kumble’s impact in both Tests and ODIs was huge. He was a fighter who never gave up.
- Ravichandran Ashwin has a great chance to break future records. He is one of the smartest bowlers in modern cricket.
- India’s success has largely been built on a strong spin attack. Spinners like Kumble, Harbhajan, and Ashwin have won matches on turning pitches.
Top 10 Highest Wicket Taker in ODI
ODI cricket has seen some brilliant bowling performances. Here’s a clear ODI-only ranking table:
| Rank | Player | Country | ODI Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 534 |
| 2 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 502 |
| 3 | Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 416 |
| 4 | Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 400 |
| 5 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 395 |
| 6 | Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 393 |
| 7 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 381 |
| 8 | Brett Lee | Australia | 380 |
| 9 | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 338 |
| 10 | Anil Kumble | India | 337 |
Key Insights:
- The dominance of subcontinent bowlers in ODIs is clear. Spinners like Muralitharan and Kumble succeeded on slow pitches.
- Pakistani bowlers like Wasim, Waqar, and Afridi used reverse swing and variations brilliantly.
- Australian fast bowlers like McGrath and Brett Lee were consistent wicket-takers in all conditions.
Key Insights – Cricket’s All-Time Wicket Kings
Let’s summarize the greatest achievements:
- Muralitharan tops all formats with 1347 wickets.
- Only three bowlers have 1000+ wickets — Muralitharan, Warne, and Anderson.
- James Anderson is the only active player close to 1000 wickets.
- Muralitharan also holds the most 5-wicket hauls (77) and 10-wicket hauls (22) in Tests.
- Shane Warne’s spin legacy changed Australian cricket forever.
These records show that consistency and longevity matter as much as talent.
Recent Bowlers Close to the Top 10
Cricket continues to produce great bowlers. Here are some modern names climbing the charts:
- Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin has over 700 wickets. He is India’s best Test bowler right now. With a few more years, he could break into the all-time top 10.
- Nathan Lyon
Australia’s leading off-spinner has over 530 Test wickets. He is consistent and could reach 600+ wickets soon.
- Trent Boult
New Zealand’s left-arm pacer has over 600 wickets across formats. He is a swing bowler who performs in all conditions.
- Kagiso Rabada
South Africa’s fast bowler is young and already has 500+ international wickets. He could become one of the greats if he stays injury-free.
These bowlers are the future. They might rewrite the record books in the next decade.
Conclusion:
Bowling legends define cricket as much as batsmen. Without great bowlers, cricket would lose its excitement.
Muttiah Muralitharan’s record of 1347 wickets may never be broken. His skill, dedication, and consistency were extraordinary.
Indian bowlers like Anil Kumble and Ravichandran Ashwin carry the nation’s spin legacy proudly.
Pakistan’s Wasim and Waqar, Australia’s Warne and McGrath, and England’s Anderson and Broad have all left their mark.
Cricket fans will always remember these wicket-taking machines. They bowled their hearts out and gave us unforgettable moments.
All the data and detailed stats in this article are collected from Cricketbureau.com, your trusted source for cricket analysis.
Whether you’re a beginner or a die-hard fan, these records tell the story of cricket’s greatest bowlers.
Thank you for reading! Keep following cricket and enjoy the magic of bowling legends! 🏏
