The World Cup has always been the pinnacle of world cricket, with the knockouts of the World Cup becoming even more significant. The performers in Knockout can make one a hero or villain in front of fans, depending upon the outcome. As they say, bowlers win you tournaments, so in this article, we will talk about the 'Top 10 players with most wickets in the World Cup Knockouts';
1. Glenn McGrath
The Former Australian McGrath holds the record for taking most matches in the World Cup knockouts with 15 wickets. McGrath played nine matches for Australia in World Cup Knockouts, and has picked 15 wickets at an average of 19.53 and an economy rate of 3.82. His best in World Cup knockout came against South Africa in the Semi-Final of the 2007 World Cup, where he picked three wickets and gave away just 18 runs in eight overs.
2. Shane Warne
The Australian spin wizard Warne takes place on this list with 14 wickets in the knockouts of the World Cup. Warne has played five matches in the World Cup knockouts, picking 14 wickets at an average of 14.85 and an economy of 4.33. His best spell in World Cup knockout came against Pakistan in the finals of the 1999 World Cup, where he picked four wickets and gave away just 29 runs in nine overs.
3. Muttiah Muralitharan
The former Sri Lankan spinner Muralitharan takes place on this list with 12 wickets in the knockouts of the World Cup. Muralitharan has played nine matches in the World Cup knockouts, where he has picked 12 matches at an average of 28 and an economy rate of 4.24. His best spell in World Cup knockout came against New Zealand in the 2007 World Cup, where he picked 4 wickets and gave away just 31 runs in eight overs.
4. Gary Gilmour
Another Australian bowler makes his way on the list with 11 wickets in the World Cup knockouts. Gilmour has picked 11 wickets in the World Cup knockouts in just two games at an average of 5.63 and an economy of 2.58. He bowled in just two games of the 1975 World Cup and returned with the figure of 6/14 against England in the semi-finals and 5/48 against West Indies in the final of the 1975 World Cup.
5. Sanath Jayasuriya
Former Sri Lankan opener Jayasuriya takes place in this list with ten wickets in the World Cup knockouts. Jayasuriya was more than a handy bowler for Sri Lanka and returned with impressive bowling stats. He took ten wickets in 6 games of World Cup knockouts at an average of 23.30 and an economy of 4.85. He returned with his best bowling figure of 3/12 in World Cup knockouts in the semi-final against India in the 1996 World Cup.
6. Lasith Malinga
The former Sri Lankan pacer Malinga makes his way into the list with ten wickets. Malinga has played six matches for Sri Lanka in the World Cup knockouts, picking ten wickets at an average of 25.60 and an economy of 5.22, which is quite decent, considering he used to bowl in death overs. His best figure in World Cup knockouts was 3/55 against New Zealand in the 2011 World Cup semi-finals.
7. Trent Boult
New Zealand's key pacer Boult takes place in this list with nine wickets in the World Cup knockouts. Only Kiwi in this list, Boult has played five matches for Kiwis in the World Cup knockouts, picking nine wickets at an average of 27.33 and an economy rate of 5.02. His best spell of 4/44 came against West Indies in the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals.
8. Zaheer Khan
The former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan takes place in the list with 9 wickets in the World Cup knockouts. Zaheer has played five matches for India in the World Cup knockouts, picking nine wickets at an average of 28 and an economy of 4.45. Zaheer played a significant role in India's 2011 World Cup glory. His best spell in World Cup knockouts came against Kenya in the 2003 World Cup Semi-Finals, where he picked three wickets for just 14 runs in 9.2 overs.
9. Andy Roberts
The former West Indian fast bowler Andy Roberts takes place in this list with nine wickets in World Cup knockouts. Roberts has played six matches for West Indies in World Cup knockouts, picking nine wickets at an average of 21.55 and economy of 3.11. His best spell came in the World Cup knockout against India in the 1983 world cup final, where he picked three wickets for just 32 runs.
10. Wasim Akram
The Pakistani left-arm pacer Akram takes place on the list with eight wickets in the World Cup knockouts for Pakistan. Akram has played five matches for Pakistan in World Cup knockouts, picking eight wickets at an average of 28.62 and an economy of 4.77. His best spell in World Cup knockout came against England in the 1992 World Cup final, where he returned with the figures 3/49 in 10 overs.
