Top Bowlers with the Most Career Wickets Across All Formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is)

Some legendary bowlers have dominated international cricket with their wicket-taking prowess across all formats—Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals (T20Is). Here are the all-time top wicket-takers in combined formats, celebrated for their skill, consistency, and longevity.

1. Muttiah Muralitharan – 1,347 Wickets

Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan tops the list with a staggering 1,347 wickets across formats. Known for his incredible spin and control, Muralitharan claimed 800 wickets in Tests, 534 in ODIs, and 13 in T20Is over his illustrious career. His unique bowling style and unmatched skill in varying conditions made him a nightmare for batsmen.

2. Shane Warne – 1,001 Wickets

Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne was one of the most influential bowlers in the history of cricket, amassing 1,001 international wickets. With 708 wickets in Tests and 293 in ODIs, Warne was a dominant force in the late ’90s and early 2000s, famous for his ‘ball of the century’ and legendary leg-spin accuracy.

3. Wasim Akram – 916 Wickets

Wasim Akram, Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler, took 916 wickets in his career. Known for his lethal swing bowling, he took 414 wickets in ODIs and 502 in Tests. His reverse swing at high speed, especially in the death overs, made him one of the most feared bowlers.

4. Waqar Younis – 789 Wickets

Waqar Younis, another iconic Pakistani bowler, is known for his pace and reverse swing, especially in ODIs. He took 789 wickets across formats with 373 in ODIs and 373 in Tests. His in-swinging yorkers and relentless pace were remarkable in the 1990s.

5. Anil Kumble – 956 Wickets

India’s Anil Kumble, one of the most successful spinners in cricket history, claimed 956 wickets. Known for his consistency, he took 619 in Tests and 337 in ODIs. His ability to bowl with accuracy and persistence helped him achieve numerous records in Indian cricket.

6. Glenn McGrath – 949 Wickets

Australian pace bowler Glenn McGrath took 949 wickets across all formats. His exceptional line-and-length discipline made him one of the most accurate bowlers. McGrath claimed 563 Test wickets and 381 ODI wickets and remains a role model for pace bowlers worldwide.

7. James Anderson – 918+ Wickets (and counting)

England’s James Anderson has over 918 wickets across formats and continues to add to his tally in Tests. With his exceptional swing bowling, Anderson has dominated Test cricket, especially in England, with over 690 wickets in Tests alone, complemented by his ODI and T20I contributions.

8. Shaun Pollock – 829 Wickets

South Africa’s Shaun Pollock, known for his precision and all-round skills, took 829 international wickets. With 421 Test wickets and 393 ODI wickets, Pollock’s ability to move the ball both ways at an economical rate made him a valuable player for South Africa.

9. Kapil Dev – 687 Wickets

Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev took 687 wickets, known for his swing and aggression. With 434 Test wickets and 253 ODI wickets, Kapil’s contributions to Indian cricket, especially in the 1983 World Cup, established him as one of the sport’s greats.

10. Lasith Malinga – 548 Wickets

Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga, famous for his unique slinging action and deadly yorkers, took 548 wickets, excelling primarily in ODIs and T20Is. With over 300 ODI wickets and 107 T20I wickets, Malinga’s contributions in limited-overs formats were pivotal in Sri Lanka’s success.

Conclusion

These bowlers have set a high standard for future generations with their skill and dedication. Their ability to adapt across formats and maintain peak performance over years is a testament to their place in cricketing history.