Top 5 wicket-takers in ODI cricket

Now a days, we see bowlers being thrashed all over the park in limited overs cricket. But there have been many bowlers who have been in the limelight, having mastered the art of bowling and have conquered many batsmen throughout their careers.We take a look at the top 5 wicket-takers in ODI cricketers who have worked hard, bowled day-in andday-out in the nets, executed their plans on the field and have been fit enough to play the game as long as they have.

#5 Shaun Pollock

MATCHES : 303

WICKETS : 393

A right-arm fast bowler and a true gentlemen, Shaun Pollock represented South Africa for 12 years from 1996-2008 and earned a reputation for bowling with a consistent line and length. He also had the opportunity to be the captain of his national team from 2000-2003.

#4 Chaminda Vaas

MATCHES : 322

WICKETS : 400

For a player who is underestimated and not given due credit, Vaas has a tremendous ODI record, with 400 wickets in 322 matches for Sri Lanka. He has, against his name, the best bowling figures ever in ODI cricket – 8 for 19 against Zimbabwe in 2001.

#3 Waqar Younis

MATCHES : 262

WICKETS : 416

Waqar Younis had the rare ability to swing the ball while bowling at great pace. He was extremely fast during his peak and was an expert when it came to reverse swing. He took 416 wickets while playing for Pakistan between 1989-2003. After his retirement, he went on to coach Pakistan in 2010 and is now a TV commentator.

#2 Wasim Akram

MATCHES : 356

WICKETS : 502

The master of reverse-swing is second on this list. Wasim Akram was the first bowler to take 500 wickets in One-Day Internationals. He was not only great in taking wickets early in the innings, but also great in bowling at the end, with his control over the old ball and perfect yorkers. Wasim also has 2 hat-tricks to his name.He is now the bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

#1 Muttiah Muralitharan

MATCHES : 350

WICKETS : 534

It is said that he can spin the ball even on a cemented wicket.The legendary Sri Lankan spinner will probably lead every statistic about bowling and wickets and unsurprisingly leads this one too. He has single-handedly won many matches for Sri Lanka and has 10-five wicket hauls to his name.