5 Best ODI Bowlers in Indian Cricket History

3. Ajit Agarkar

Ajit Agarkar after cleaning up England’s Ian Bell

Well, this name might surprise many but the Mumbaikar stands at the third position when it comes to most wickets in ODI cricket for India. The skinny but skiddy pacer had the ability to rip through the batsmen. Despite going for runs, his ability to break partnerships in the middle-overs was imperative.

Agarkar was a gifted bowler and used to swing the ball in the air which made him a class apart. From 191 ODI matches, Agarkar scalped 288 wickets at an economy rate of 5.05.

2. Javagal Srinath

ODI Bowlers — Javagal Srinath in jubilation after scalping the wicket of Brendon McCullum

Karnataka has produced many cricketing greats and the process is still on. One such great was Javagal Srinath who was the flag bearer of Indian pace bowling attack in the late 90s.

He was one of those bowlers who had a natural swing in their arsenal. Whether the surface was helpful or not, but the seam presentation he had was nothing but perfection. His ODI career lasted for 12 long years wherein he managed 315 wickets from 229 matches at a brilliant economy of 4.44. The 2003 World Cup was his last ODI assignment.

1. Anil Kumble

Fondly known as ‘Jumbo’, Anil Kumble stands atop in terms of most wickets for India in both Tests and ODIs. A career that fell short of two decades by just 3 years, Kumble emerged as the best-ever bowler India produced.

With 619 wickets in Tests, he stands at the third position with most Test wickets in the world and atop for India. When it comes to ODI cricket, Kumble is India’s leading wicket-taker with 334 wickets from 269 matches at an average of 4.29.