Top 5 bowlers with most ODI wickets in 2019

As this year comes to an end, we have had several spectacular performances in Men's ODI cricket to look back at. England finished on top of the team rankings (World Cup winners), followed by India and New Zealand, respectively.

While there were numerous batting records broken this year, bowling performances made the game even more eventful as well. This article looks at the bowlers with the most number of wickets in the format in 2019. The biggest talking point about the top 10 is the presence of eight fast bowlers, with only two spinners.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

#6 Kuldeep Yadav (India) - 32 wickets

#7 Pat Cummins (Australia) - 31 wickets

#8 Sheldon Cottrell (West Indies) - 31 wickets

#9 Yuzuvendra Chahal (India) - 29 wickets

#10 Chris Woakes (England) - 29 wickets

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#5 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Country - India

Matches - 19

Wickets - 33

Economy Rate - 5.23

Average - 23.75

Best Bowling Figures - 4/31

Also see - Ranji schedule

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the most consistent of the Indian bowling line-up ended up as the 5th highest wicket-taker of 2019 with 33 wickets in his bag. He has been a regular in the Indian squad but has suffered from various injuries this year. Despite that, Kumar delivered for the team with several match-winning performances with one of the most economical figures. He has been MS Dhoni's and Virat Kohli's first choice with the new ball and his skill of swinging the ball both ways allows him to deceive batsmen, making him a go-to option at the start of the innings.

Bhuvi is expected to continue with that role for the team in the coming decade as well if he remains fit. The Indian pace-attack has been one of the most fierce attacks of the season and the trio of Bhuvi-Bhumrah-Shami have delivered some outstanding spells. His figures of 33 wickets from 19 matches is by far the best performance by Kumar in his seven-year career. He has continued his stellar performance in T20I.

#4 Mustafizur Rahman

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Mustafizur Rahman

Country - Bangladesh

Matches - 16

Wickets - 34

Economy Rate - 6.77

Average - 28.14

Best Bowling Figures - 5/59

Mustafizur Rahman has been Bangladesh's top wicket-tacker in 2019. His sleek action and left-arm fast bowling makes him difficult to read. The Bangladeshi pacer has dominated the ODI scene by taking an aggregate of 34 wickets, thus finishing at 4th position of the highest wicket-taker list in 2019. In recent years, he has been one of the most successful young pacers as he averages 22.97 and has taken 107 wickets at an economy rate of 5.24 in his 4-year long career.

He went unsold in the recently concluded IPL Auction 2020 because of his underperformance in the format. He is a reliable front-line and death overs bowler who can control the flow of runs and put pressure on the opposition.

#3 Lockie Ferguson

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Lockie Ferguson

Country - New Zealand

Matches - 17

Wickets - 35

Economy Rate - 5.19

Average - 23.71

Best Bowling Figures - 4/37

Having made his ODI debut in 2016 for the Black Caps, Ferguson has been the pick of the bowlers for his national team. Ending with a tally of 35 wickets at an economy rate of 5.19, Ferguson finishes on 3rd place in the list. He has been known for his bouncers and pace, and came into the limelight at this year's world cup where he constantly clocked 150kph. His performance formed the foundation for the team's stellar performance in their quest to emerge as the runners-up in the World Cup.

At 21 wickets and an economy rate of 4.88, he finished behind only Australia's Mitchell Starc amongst the top wicket takers in the World Cup. He also featured in ICC's team of the tournament. The 28-year-old has proven himself to be a potential match-winner and is feared by batsmen across the globe because of his tall frame and the speed he is able to generate.

#2 Trent Boult

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Trent Boult

Country - New Zealand

Matches - 20

Wickets - 38

Economy Rate - 4.70

Average - 23.97

Best Bowling Figures - 5/21

Next on the list is Ferguson's partner in crime, the Kiwi speedster, Trent Boult. Having taken 38 wickets at an average of 23.97, he earns the second spot on the list. Among the top 10 wicket-takers of the year, Trent Boult boasts of the best economy rate of 4.70. His left-arm action gives him the angle to swing the ball both ways and his heroics in the field make him a complete package and New Zealand's go-to bowler in all conditions.

Rated as one of the best Kiwi fast bowlers by Sir Richard Hadlee, he was instrumental in the Black Caps' campaign at the World Cup this year. With his ability to switch between the three formats easily and scalp numerous wickets at a phenomenal economy rate, Boult has become a valuable asset for New Zealand over the years.

#1 Mohammed Shami

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Mohammed Shami

Country - India

Matches - 21

Wickets - 42

Economy Rate - 5.36

Average - 22.64

Best Bowling Figures - 5/69

Earning the top spot on the list of highest wicket-taker in 2019 with 42 wickets at an economy rate of 5.36 is India's spearhead, Mohammed Shami. Shami has been part of the Indian squad for quite a few years but only recently has he proved his worth as one of the most sound fast bowlers in this format. His strong action and pace allow him to get wickets at regular intervals and his improved armoury of different bowling options have helped him have a successful year.

He has the ability to move both the new and the old ball while his pace and accuracy makes him a destructive bowler. Shami is expected to continue his stellar performance for India in the coming decade across formats.