Mohammed Shami is the highest wicket-taker for India in the Cricket World Cup, with 55 wickets in 18 matches. Overall, he is the 5th highest wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup history. Shami is also the fastest to take 50 wickets in ODI World Cup.
The 2023 Cricket World Cup began on 5 October 2023 in India. The opening match was between defending champions England and last edition runners-up New Zealand. Since the first tournament in 1975, the ODI World Cup has seen many match-winning spells and bowling performances.
There is a famous saying in cricket: “Batters win you matches, but bowlers win you tournaments.” They take wickets, restrict batters, and bring home the victory for their respective teams.
Match predictions for the 2023 Cricket World Cup will be available on the Howzat blog. Make your fantasy cricket team on the Howzat fantasy app and win big!
Most Wickets in Cricket World Cup 2023
India's Mohammad Shami took the most wickets in 2023 ODI World Cup. Shami took 24 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 10.70. He has best figures of 7/57. Adam Zampa was second with 23 wickets.
| Rank | Player | Team | Wickets | Matches | Best Figures | Average | Eco. Rate | 4W/5W |
| 1 | Mohammad Shami | India | 24 | 6 | 7/57 | 10.70 | 5.26 | 1/3 |
| 2 | Adam Zampa | Australia | 23 | 11 | 4/8 | 21.40 | 5.47 | 3/0 |
| 3 | Dilshan Madushanka | Sri Lanka | 21 | 9 | 5/80 | 25.00 | 6.70 | 1/1 |
| 4 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 20 | 11 | 4/39 | 18.65 | 4.06 | 1/0 |
| 5 | Gerald Coetzee | South Africa | 20 | 8 | 4/44 | 19.80 | 6.23 | 1/0 |
Most Wickets in Cricket World Cup: Top 10 Player List
Australia’s Glenn McGrath has taken the most wickets in ODI World Cup history, with 71 wickets to his name at a bowling average of 18.19 and an economy rate of 3.96. He has played in 4 editions of the ODI World Cup.
Let's take a look at the top 10 highest wicket takers in the ODI World Cup over the 13 editions played.
| Rank | Player | Team | Wickets | Matches | Best Figures | Average | Eco. Rate | 4W/5W |
| 1 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 71 | 39 | 7/15 | 18.19 | 3.96 | 0/2 |
| 2 | Muthiah Muralidaran | Sri Lanka | 68 | 40 | 4/19 | 19.63 | 3.88 | 4/0 |
| 3 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 65 | 28 | 6/28 | 19.29 | 5.15 | 3/3 |
| 4 | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 56 | 29 | 6/38 | 22.87 | 5.51 | 2/1 |
| 5 | Mohammed Shami | India | 55 | 18 | 7/57 | 13.52 | 5.13 | 4/4 |
| 6 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 55 | 38 | 5/28 | 23.83 | 4.04 | 2/1 |
| 7 | Trent Boult | New Zealand | 53 | 29 | 5/27 | 25.54 | 4.92 | 3/1 |
| 8 | Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 49 | 31 | 6/25 | 21.22 | 3.97 | 1/1 |
| 9 | Zaheer Khan | India | 44 | 23 | 4/42 | 20.22 | 4.47 | 1/0 |
| 10 | Javagal Srinath | India | 44 | 34 | 4/30 | 27.81 | 4.32 | 2/0 |
Also read: Most Wickets in ODI | Top 10 List of Highest ODI Wicket Takers
Highest Wicket Taker in ODI World Cup Tournaments
Glenn McGrath (Australia): 71 wickets
Glenn McGrath is the leading wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup. He has taken an incredible 71 wickets in 39 matches over 4 World Cups (1996-2007), which looks difficult to break. Known for his accuracy and consistency with the ball, McGrath played a crucial role in Australia’s World Cup wins in 1999, 2003, and 2007.
Muthiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka): 68 wickets
Sri Lanka’s spin legend Muthiah Muralidaran is second on the list of most wickets in ODI World Cups. He has taken 68 wickets in 30 World Cup matches at an average of 19.63. Known for his unique spin action and multiple variations, Muralidaran was part of the 1996 team that won the World Cup. He finished runner-up in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.
Mitchell Starc (Australia): 65 wickets
Mitchell Starc has played the second least number of numbers (27) among all the bowlers in the top 5 list of highest wicket-takers in the ODI World Cups. Starc has taken 65 wickets in 28 matches at an average of 19.29. He has played in 3 World Cups (2015, 2019 and 2023) and finished as the highest wicket-taker in the previous two editions. Starc also won the 2015 and 2023 World Cups.
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): 56 wickets
Yorker King Lasith Malinga is the second Sri Lankan to feature in ODI World Cup history's top 5 wicket takers. Malinga took 56 wickets in just 29 matches in the World Cup, with the best figures of 6/38 against Kenya (2011). Malinga is the only bowler to register two hat-tricks in the ODI World Cup.
Also read: Best Bowling Figures in ODI Cricket World Cup
Mohammad Shami (India): 55 wickets
India's Mohamamd Shami is one of the greatest bowlers in ODI World Cup history. He has taken 55 wickets in just 18 matches at a bowling average 13.52. He played in 3 World Cups (2015-2023) and has one runner-up title (2023). He is the only bowler to take 4+ wickets in a World Cup match 8 times.
Highest Wicket Takers in ODI World Cup Each Edition (1975-2023)
| ODI World Cup | Player | Team | Wickets | Matches | Best Figures | Average | Eco. Rate |
| 2023 | Mohammed Shami | India | 24 | 7 | 7/57 | 10.70 | 5.26 |
| 2019 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 27 | 10 | 5/26 | 18.59 | 5.43 |
| 2015 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 22 | 8 | 6/28 | 10.18 | 3.50 |
| 2011 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 21 | 8 | 5/16 | 12.85 | 3.62 |
| 2007 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 26 | 11 | 3/14 | 13.73 | 4.41 |
| 2003 | Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 23 | 10 | 6/25 | 14.39 | 3.76 |
| 1999 | Geoff Allott | New Zealand | 20 | 9 | 4/37 | 16.25 | 3.70 |
| 1996 | Anil Kumble | India | 15 | 7 | 3/28 | 18.73 | 4.03 |
| 1992 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 18 | 10 | 4/32 | 18.77 | 3.76 |
| 1987 | Craig McDermott | Australia | 18 | 8 | 5/44 | 18.94 | 4.67 |
| 1983 | Roger Binny | India | 18 | 8 | 4/29 | 18.66 | 3.81 |
| 1979 | Mike Hendrick | England | 10 | 5 | 4/15 | 14.90 | 2.66 |
| 1975 | Gary Gilmour | Australia | 11 | 2 | 6/14 | 5.63 | 2.58 |
FAQs
Who took most wickets for India in Cricket World Cup?
Right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami has taken the most wickets in the Cricket World Cup for India with 55 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 13.52.
Who has the most wickets in the 2023 ODI World Cup?
India's Mohammad Shami has the most wickets in the 2023 World Cup. He took 24 wickets from 7 matches with the best of 7/57 vs New Zealand.
Who has taken the most wickets in One Day Internationals?
Muthiah Muralidaran is the highest wicket taker in One-day Internationals, with 534 wickets in 350 matches at a bowling average of 23.08. He has taken 15 four-wicket hauls and 10 five-wicket hauls.
Who is the current best bowler in ODIs?
Keshav Maharaj is currently ranked No. 1 in the World ODI rankings. He has taken 51 wickets in 40 ODIs at a bowling average of 30.49 and an economy rate of 4.62.
