The ODI World Cup is the most prestigious tournament in cricket. It happens once in 4 years. The first edition was in 1975 and the last edition as of now was played in 2019. We will now have a look at the top 10 wicket takers across ODI World Cups.

10. Trent Boult

Trent Boult is a left arm pacer from New Zealand. He is known for his new ball prowess as he is adept in swinging the ball. His bowling had a lethal effect in the 2019 World Cup which was conducted in swinging conditions in England.

Trent Boult has played in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and has taken 39 wickets in World Cups altogether.

9. Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir was a leg spinner from South Africa. He was born in Pakistan and even played for Pakistan U-19 team. His inclusion in the 2011 World Cup was a last minute occurrence as his eligibility to play for South Africa gained validity just sometime before the World Cup.

Imran Tahir has played in the 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cups and has taken 40 wickets in World Cups altogether.

8. Javagal Srinath

Javagal Srinath is the only Indian specialist pacer to appear in four World Cups. He had to bear a lot of bowling load on his shoulders due to scarcity of pace bowling resources in the Indian team since Kapil Dev retired. He was India’s leading wicket taker in the 2003 World Cup.

Javagal Srinath has played in the 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2003World Cups and has taken 44 wickets in World Cups altogether.

7. Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan was a left arm pacer from India. Though Yuvraj Singh was the most important player for India in their victory campaign in 2011 World Cup, Zaheer’s presence as a strike bowler and his ability to pick wickets at any phase of the game was a key reason India succeeded in the World Cup.

Zaheer Khan has played in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups and has taken 44 wickets in World Cups altogether.

6. Chaminda Vaas

Chaminda Vaas is a left arm pacer from Sri Lanka and is generally considered to be the second-best Sri Lankan bowler across both tests and ODIs. He could swing the ball well and in later stages of his career, also learnt the reverse swing

Chaminda Vaas has played in the 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups and has taken 49 wickets in World Cups altogether.

5. Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc is a left arm pacer from Australia. He is known for his deadly yorkers. Especially, the swinging yorkers of Mitchell Starc combined with his high pace of 145+ kmph are really deadly.

Mitchell Starc has played in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and has taken 49 wickets in World Cups altogether.

4. Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram was a left arm pacer from Pakistan. Wasim Akram, along with Waqar Younis was a part of a fearsome Pakistani pace attack across formats, especially One Day Internationals. He is in second place in the list of ODI wicket takers due to his 502 ODI wickets.

Wasim Akram has played in the 1987, 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2003 World Cups and has taken 55 wickets in World Cups altogether.

3. Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga is a pacer from Sri Lanka. He is known for his side arm action. Lasith Malinga was very effective with his yorkers, due to his side arm action which enabled him to aim for the yorker more accurately. He was one of the best white ball bowlers in the world. He was the first bowler to take four wickets off four consecutive deliveries in a match in ODI cricket and he achieved this feat in the 2007 World Cup match against South Africa.

Lasith Malinga has played in the 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cups and has taken 56 wickets in World Cups altogether.

2. Muttiah Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan is an off spinner from Sri Lanka. He has taken the highest number of wickets in ODIs (534).  Only he and Wasim Akram have more than 500 ODI wickets.

Muttiah Muralitharan has played in the 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups and has taken 68 wickets in World Cups altogether.

1. Glenn McGrath

Glenn McGrath is a pacer from Australia. Australia won three successive editions of the World Cup in 1999, 2003 and 2007 and he was a part of the team in all of them. McGrath is known for his relentless accuracy as he was able to bowl the same line and length for long duration.

Glenn McGrath has played in the 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups and has taken 71 wickets in World Cups altogether.