ODI India is considered one of the strongest teams in world cricket. Although they haven’t won a 50-over ICC tournament in nearly 12 years, their performance in bilateral series has been exceptional. Since the 2011 Cricket World Cup, they have reached the semi-finals of every 50-over ICC event.
When discussing Indian cricket, the spotlight often falls on world-class batsmen like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag. However, the valuable contributions of India’s bowlers in limited-overs cricket often go unnoticed.
5. Kapil Dev – 166 innings
Regarded as India’s greatest all-rounder, Kapil Dev achieved this remarkable milestone in his 166th ODI innings. He also made history as the first Indian captain to lead the team to an ICC Cricket World Cup victory. Kapil Dev retired in 1994, having claimed 253 wickets from 225 innings, with an average of 27.4 and an economy rate of 3.71. In addition, he scored 3,783 ODI runs at an average of 24, including one century and 14 half-centuries.
4. Javagal Srinath – 147 innings
Javagal Srinath’s rise to prominence marked the onset of India’s next generation of pace bowlers after Kapil Dev. The Karnataka pacer took his 200th ODI wicket in his 147th bowling innings. He retired in 2003 with 315 ODI wickets from 229 games, maintaining an average of 28 and an economy rate of 4.44.
3. Anil Kumble – 147 innings
Anil Kumble, India’s most successful bowler across all formats, took his 200th ODI wicket in his 147th bowling innings. He remains India’s top wicket-taker in ODI cricket, with 337 wickets in 271 matches, averaging 30.89 and an economy rate of 4.3. Sadly, Kumble was never able to win an ICC Cricket World Cup during his illustrious career.
2. Zaheer Khan – 144 innings
Left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan reached his 200th ODI wicket in the 144th bowling innings of his career. He was instrumental in India’s victorious ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 campaign, topping the wicket-taking chart with 21 wickets from nine matches at an average of 18. Khan played his final international match in 2014, in a Test against New Zealand in Wellington.
1. Ajit Agarkar – 133 innings
Former Indian speedster Ajit Agarkar holds the record as the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 wickets in ODI cricket. Debuting in 1998, Agarkar achieved this feat in his 133rd innings. He retired in 2007 after playing his final ODI against England at The Oval, having taken 288 wickets in 191 ODIs, with an average of 27.8 and an economy rate of 5.