Most Wickets in World Cup 2026: Top Wicket-Takers in Cricket World Cup History

Here are some of those best bowling performances ever in ODIs at the Cricket World Cup. From the remarkable consistency shown by Glenn McGrath in World Cups to Mitchell Starc’s case with pace and swing, or Mohammed Shami’s extraordinary 2023 campaign, there have been bowlers to remember for ages. In terms of most wickets in World Cup history, Glenn McGrath of Australia leads the way with 71 scalps from 39 matches. Sri Lanka’s 68-wicket Muttiah Muralitharan is placed second, while Australia’s Mitchell Starc who played thrice at the World Cups has taken 65 wickets.

Note that you get career World Cup wickets and max wickets in one World Cup edition. McGrath still owns the career record, but Starc set the landmark for most wickets in a tournament with 27 at the 2019 World Cup.

Most Wickets in World Cup History

The following table ranks the leading wicket-takers in men’s ODI Cricket World Cup history through the 2023 edition.

McGrath’s 71 wickets continues to be the record in the competition. His four World Cups between 1996-07 and his career-ending average of 18.19 tells the story. Muralitharan, with 68 wickets, is the top spinner on the list while Starc reached 65 World Cup wickets to become only the third bowler to reach that mark in his final appearance in 2023. It is even more remarkable that Mohammed Shami achieved 55 wickets in just 18 games. His career World Cup average of 13.52 is also the best among all bowlers in this top group.

Top 10 Wicket-Takers in World Cup History

Glenn McGrath – 71 Wickets

The fifth highest wicket-taker in World Cup history is Glenn McGrath. The Aussie spearhead has so far claimed 71 scalps in 39 World Cup games including the editions of 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2007.

His best figures in World Cups came against Namibia back in 2003 with figures of 7/15. And that still stands as the best figures achieved by a bowler in a men’s Cricket World Cup game. The Australian claimed three WorldCup titles, was named Player of the Tournament in 2007.

Muttiah Muralitharan – 68 Wickets

Legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan rounds out the top 3 with 68 wickets at an average of 10.51 in just 40 World Cup games He is the all-time second leading wicket-taker and the top spinner in World Cup history.

Muralitharan featured in five World Cups between 1996 and 2011, including Sri Lanka’s title-winning squad of 1996. His skill to exercise control whilst getting wickets on a regular basis made him one of the best bowlers in the tournament.

Mitchell Starc – 65 Wickets

Mitchell Starc has long-established as one of the finest World Cup bowlers of day. In 28 matches in the World Cups from 2015 to 2023, he took a total of 65 wickets. In 2015, Starc claimed 22 wickets and the Player of the Tournament award. Four years later, he launched an even greater campaign, recording the most wickets in a World Cup with 27 at the 2019 event.

Lasith Malinga – 56 Wickets

Lasith Malinga- 29 matches, 56 wickets (Sri Lanka) He remains one of the hardest bowlers to face due to his sling-arm action, yorkers and a penchant for bowling brutal death overs. His best figures in a World Cup match came during that tournament as he took 6/38, making him one of the most successful fast bowlers ever in the event.

Mohammed Shami – 55 Wickets

Mohammed Shami is one of the most successful wicket-takers in World Cup cricket In 18 matches, he took his 55 wickets, at an average of 13.52. His 2023 campaign was exceptional. He claimed 24 wickets from seven matches, with three five-wicket hauls and one of seven against New Zealand in the semi-final. He was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament as well.

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Wasim Akram – 55 Wickets

Former Pakistan great Wasim Akram also ended with 55 World Cup wickets but he took 38 games to achieve the feat. He made vital contributions in Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup victory, being Player of the Match in the final with figures of 3/49. His career World Cup best figures were 5/28.

Trent Boult – 53 Wickets

Fifth on the all-time list is New Zealand left-arm seamer Trent Boult, who captured 53 wickets. He appeared in 29 World Cup matches over the past three tournaments: 2015, 2019 and 2023. Boult, who formed a potent opening bowling pair with Tim Southee, was instrumental for New Zealand during their runs to the finals in 2015 and 2019.

Chaminda Vaas – 49 Wickets

Chaminda Vaas took 49 wickets in 31 World Cup games. The left-arm seamer from Sri Lanka featured in four editions between 1996 and 2007. His best World Cup was in 2003, where he took 23 wickets at an average of 14.39 and topped the wicket-takes chart for the tournament. He also had a record performance of 6/25 against Bangladesh.

Zaheer Khan – 44 Wickets

Zaheer Khan was India’s leading World Cup wicket-taker before Mohammed Shami overtook him in 2023. Zaheer took 44 wickets in 23 matches between 2003 and 2011. He was a key member of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team and finished that tournament with 21 wickets, sharing the top wicket-taker position with Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi.

Javagal Srinath – 44 Wickets

Javagal Srinath also took 44 World Cup wickets, but in 34 matches. His World Cup career stretched from 1992 to 2003. Srinath was one of India’s most reliable fast bowlers during the 1990s and remains among the country’s most successful World Cup wicket-takers.

Most Wickets in a Single World Cup

Most wickets in One World Cup, In the then just completed 2019 World Cup in England and Wales, he took 27 wickets in 10 matches. Starc’s 27 wickets outshone Glenn McGrath, whose record haul in a single World Cup of 26 wickets was set in the 2007 tournament

Starc finished 2019 with one of the all-time great World Cup bowling records. Mohammed Shami was highest wicket-taker in the last World Cup – 24 wickets in 2023, while Adam Zampa’s tally of 23 wickets is joint-most by a spinner in a single men’s World Cup 2007.

Most Wickets in Each World Cup

The leading wicket-taker has changed from tournament to tournament, with some editions producing particularly dominant bowling performances.

In 1975, Gary Gilmour finished the first ever tournament with 11 wickets in only two games. Mike Hendrick of England featured at the top for 10 wickets in 1979. 563 wickets by Roger Binny (India) 1983, Craig McDermott (Australia) 1987.

The highest wicket-taker in a tournament was Wasim Akram with 18 wickets in 1992, and he is closely followed by Anil Kumble with his tally of 15 wickets at the 1996 edition. 1999: Co-1st Geoff Allott and Shane Warne 20 wickets. That took Chaminda Vaas’s tally for the 2003 tournament to 23 wickets, before McGrath championed his winning campaign of 26-wickets in 2007.

Most Wickets by Indian Bowlers in World Cup

India has produced several outstanding World Cup bowlers, but Mohammed Shami now leads the country’s all-time list.

In the 2023 World Cup, he took his number of wickets to 55–passing Zaheer Khan and Srinath. What makes his record even more impressive is that he became the fastest player to hit the milestone, needing just 18 matches.

Zaheer and Srinath had jointly held the Indian record at 44 wickets. Zaheer achieved those wickets in 23 matches whereas Srinath needed to play 34 games.

Jasprit Bumrah has also cemented his place among the top World Cup bowlers for India as well, taking 38 wickets in 20 matches until the 2023 tournament.

Most Wickets by Country in World Cup

Several major cricketing nations have produced legendary World Cup wicket-takers.

Australia’s McGrath leads the overall list, while Sri Lanka’s Muralitharan is the country’s most successful World Cup spinner. Pakistan’s Wasim Akram and India’s Mohammed Shami have both reached 55 wickets. For South Africa, Imran Tahir holds the World Cup record with 40 wickets. Courtney Walsh is the leading West Indies wicket-taker with 27, while Chris Woakes has the highest tally for England with 31 wickets through 2023.

Best Bowling Figures in World Cup History

That kind of consistency is what a big wicket tally over tournament after tournament suggests but a single destructive spell also marks you out in World Cup history. Best Bowling Figures in World Cup: Glenn McGrath 7/15 v Namibia, 2003 He bowled 7 overs, four of which were maidens, helping Australia skittle Namibia for 45.

McGrath’s 7/15 remains the benchmark, while Andy Bichel also produced a seven-wicket haul in the same 2003 tournament.

Most Five-Wicket Hauls in World Cup

Five-wicket hauls are among the clearest signs of a bowler’s ability to dominate an innings. Mohammed Shami currently holds the record for the most five-wicket hauls in men’s ODI World Cup history, with four. He took three of those during the 2023 tournament alone. Mitchell Starc has three World Cup five-fors.

Shami’s combination of 55 wickets and four five-wicket hauls is remarkable because he achieved the numbers in only 18 matches.

Most Four-Wicket Hauls in World Cup

Four-wicket hauls are another important measure of bowling consistency. Mohammed Shami has taken more World Cup four-wicket-or-better hauls than any other bowler. During the 2023 World Cup, Shami moved to seven such performances, surpassing Mitchell Starc’s previous mark of six. Starc’s six four-wicket-or-better performances demonstrate his consistency across three World Cups, while South Africa’s Imran Tahir also built an impressive record with five four-wicket hauls.

Most Wickets by Fast Bowlers vs Spin Bowlers

Both pace and spin are kings of World Cup history. Historically, new ball swing has always tended to work well for fast bowlers and the capacity to put pressure in the middle and closing overs. McGrath, Starc Malinga, Hasin Rao, Wasim Akram Shami and Vaas are perfect examples.

Similarly spin bowlers have been a big part especially on sloggier Asian wickets. Muralitharan has 68 wickets under his belt, making him the highest wicket taker in the tournament for a spinner. Zampa’s 23 wickets in 2023 matched Muralitharan’s joint record for the most wickets taken by a spinner in an individual men’s World Cup. That’s another reason why World Cup bowling records are checkered between the two styles. Fast bowlers can exercise their power with a variety of swing, seam and pace; spinners, meanwhile, control the middle overs and press batters to Dan Greaves into poor attacking decisions.

World Cup Bowling Records

Some of the most notable bowling records in men’s ODI World Cup history include:

• Most wickets overall: Glenn McGrath – 71 wickets.
• Most wickets by a spinner: Muttiah Muralitharan – 68 wickets.
• Most wickets in one World Cup: Mitchell Starc – 27 wickets in 2019.
• Best bowling figures: Glenn McGrath – 7/15 against Namibia in 2003.
• Most World Cup five-wicket hauls: Mohammed Shami – 4.
• Most four-wicket-or-better hauls: Mohammed Shami – 7.
• Most wickets by an Indian: Mohammed Shami – 55.
• Most wickets by an Australian: Glenn McGrath – 71.
• Most wickets by a Pakistani: Wasim Akram – 55.
• Most wickets by a New Zealander: Trent Boult – 53.
• Most wickets by a South African: Imran Tahir – 40.
• Most wickets by a West Indian: Courtney Walsh – 27.

Most Wickets in Recent World Cups

The recent editions have seen some extraordinary individual campaigns.

Shami’s 2023 performance was particularly impressive because he did not play India’s first four matches. Once brought into the playing XI, he became one of the most dangerous bowlers in the tournament and finished with a bowling average of 10.70.

Most Wickets in World Cup: Key Takeaways

• Glenn McGrath has the most wickets in World Cup history with 71.
• Muttiah Muralitharan is the leading spinner with 68 wickets.
• Mitchell Starc is third overall with 65 wickets.
• Mitchell Starc’s 27 wickets in 2019 are the record for most wickets in a single World Cup.
• Mohammed Shami has 55 career World Cup wickets in only 18 matches.
• Shami holds the record for the most World Cup five-wicket hauls with four.
• Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath previously shared India’s World Cup wicket record with 44 wickets each.
• Mohammed Shami overtook both in 2023, finishing with 55 wickets.
• McGrath’s 7/15 against Namibia remains the best bowling figures in World Cup history.
• Muralitharan is the most successful spinner in the history of the men’s ODI World Cup.

Conclusion

The history of the most wickets in World Cup is a story of consistency, skill and big-match bowling. Glenn McGrath remains the all-time leader with 71 wickets, while Muttiah Muralitharan’s 68 wickets underline his dominance as the greatest World Cup spinner.

Mitchell Starc has written another golden chapter in the record books. With a total of 65 wickets, he finished third on the all-time list and is still the record for most wickets by a single bowler per World Cup with 27 wickets at the 2019 tournament. Mohammed Shami has taken over as India’s highest wicket-taker in World Cup tournaments after an impressive effort at the 2023 season. His record is one of the great feats in modern World Cup cricket, 55 wickets from just 18 matches and four five-wicket hauls.

FAQs

1.Who has the most wickets in World Cup history?

Glenn McGrath of Australia has taken the most wickets in men’s ODI World Cup history. He finished his World Cup career with 71 wickets in 39 matches between 1996 and 2007.

2.Who has taken the most wickets in a single World Cup?

Mitchell Starc holds the record after taking 27 wickets in 10 matches during the 2019 Cricket World Cup. He surpassed Glenn McGrath’s previous record of 26 wickets in 2007.

3.Who is India’s highest wicket-taker in World Cup history?

Mohammed Shami is India’s highest wicket-taker in World Cup history with 55 wickets in 18 matches. He surpassed the previous joint record of 44 wickets held by Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath during the 2023 tournament.

4.Who has the best bowling figures in World Cup history?

Glenn McGrath holds the record for the best bowling figures in a men’s Cricket World Cup match. He took 7/15 against Namibia in the 2003 World Cup.

5.Which bowler has taken the most five-wicket hauls in World Cup?

Mohammed Shami has taken the most five-wicket hauls in men’s ODI World Cup history, with four. Three of his four five-wicket hauls came during the 2023 World Cup.

Asth Tech