Top 10 Men ODI Bowlers In The World According To ICC

As of now, there are 12 fulltime members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) – Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. Each of these teams has a least 4 bowlers which make it immensely difficult to pick the 10 best ODI bowlers in the world.

Having said that, ICC, from time to time, keep updating the rankings based of the recent performances of said players and ranks them accordingly.

The rankings do change over time depending on the performance of each player and also the matches he player for his country in One Day Internationals.

The following players are rated out of 1000 points by the ICC.

Without further ado, let us start with the list.

Who Is The Best Bowler In The World Right Now?

1. Keshav Maharaj

Keshav Maharaj, a left-arm spinner who attended Northwood Boys High, Shaun Pollock’s alma mater, emerged when South Africa began to take spin seriously. For several seasons in the mid-2010s, spinners were among the top wicket-takers in South Africa’s first-class cricket. 

In his youth, Maharaj was a speed bowler, while his father played for Natal B during segregation. He switched to spinning on a whim in the nets one afternoon at school. He found it effective and continued with it. Maharaj’s secret was his accuracy. 

Maharaj’s first-class debut happened in November 2006, but he is known for his impressive 13-wicket haul and unbeaten 41 in the fifth match of the 2016-17 season before being informed that he would be joining South Africa on their Test tour of Australia. 

Fun Facts:

• Nickname: Keshav Maharaj
• Height: 6 ft 3 in
• Bowling: left-arm spinner
• Spouse: Lerisha Munsamy
• ODI Debut: 2017 against England 
• ODI Bowling Stats: 44 matches, 43 innings, 55 wickets, Best bowling in Innings 4/33, and 0 five-wicket hauls

2. Josh Hazlewood

The 30 year old Australian bowler is currently amongst the best bowlers in the world according to ICC and ranks 2nd on the list. He is often regarded as the modern day adaptation of the legendary Australian bowler Glenn McGrath.

In his debut match in 2010, which he played against England, he bowled 7 overs with an economy of under 6.0 and also took Craig Kieswetter’s wicket. With Starc being prone to injury, Hazlewood has had to shoulder a lot of extra responsibility on several occasions and he has shown that he relishes the baggage.

Hazlewood’s mantra was to stick to the basics of line and length which not only worked for him but also complemented Starc beautifully. Hazlewood has performed remarkably in ODIs and his unrelenting accuracy has stifled a lot of batsmen and he has also tried to add up a few variations up his sleeve to suit the format.

Fun Facts:

• Nickname: Hoff, Bendemeer Bullet
• Height: 6 feet 4 inches
• Bowling: Right-arm fast-medium
• Girlfriend: Cherina Murphy Christian
• ODI Debut: 22^nd June 2010, against England
• ODI Bowling Stats: 67 matches, 66 innings, 105 wickets, Best bowling in Innings 6/52, and 3 five wicket hauls

3. Adam Zampa

Adam Zampa from Australia, who ranks 7th on the ICC World Men Bowler list, broke into Australia’s limited-overs squads in 2016. Off the pitch, he’s a mullet-wearing flamboyant boy, but with his controlled bowling skills, he claimed five wickets at a 6.27 economy rate in the 2016 T20 World Cup. He became an Australia regular in 2019, playing every game on the country’s triumphant tours of India and the UAE and securing his spot in that year’s World Cup squad.

He was Australia’s leading white-ball spinner and a significant figure in their T20 World Cup victory in 2021, finishing second on the wickets tally with 13 from seven games at an economy of 5.81. He was named to Australia’s ODI and T20I squads and got a place in the 2016 World T20 in India. 

Zampa played in several T20 tournaments worldwide, including the Caribbean and Indian Premier League. He recorded the second-best figures for any bowler in the 2016 edition of the Indian Premier League, claiming 6/19 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, albeit in a losing cause. 

Fun Facts:

• Nickname: Zampa and Zobra
• Height: 5 feet 8 inches
• Bowling: Right-arm leg break
• Spouse: Unmarried
• ODI Debut: Feb 6 2016, against New Zealand
• ODI Bowling Stats: 85 matches, 85 innings, 142 wickets, Best Bowling in Innings 5/35 and 5 five-wicket hauls

4. Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj, an Indian fast bowler of 28 years old, has emerged as a vital member of the Indian cricket team. Siraj is currently building a name for himself in international cricket, and people have taken notice of his outstanding exploits. 

He has demonstrated his abilities in both the Test and limited-overs formats. He is well-known for his ability to bowl well in critical situations. Mohammed Siraj’s path demonstrates the deep talent pool that events like the Indian Premier League can offer to Indian cricket, just like it does for up-and-coming players found through the league. 

Siraj has proven himself to be a dependable bowler and a vital member of the Indian team with his relentless and regular performances, showcasing his potential to be a long-term asset in the cricket world.

Fun Facts:

• Nickname: Miyan Magic
• Height: 5 ft 10 in
• Bowling: Right-arm fast
• Spouse: Ayesha
• ODI Debut: Australia at the Adelaide Oval on 15 January 2019
• ODI Bowling Stats: 41 matches, 40 innings, 68 wickets, Best Bowling in Innings 6/21, 1 five-wicket hauls

5. Rashid Khan

Born on September 20, 1998, Rashid Khan, recognized as one of the world’s best bowlers, debuted for Afghanistan in One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals in October 2015. Rashid bowls the same lines as Shahid Afridi, linear and from stump to stump, and does it quickly while rebelliously utilising his fingers more than his wrists. By doing this, he denies the batsman any time to wriggle out and get to the pitch of the ball. His primary weapon is a precise googly, and he has myriad versions.

His eight-wicket total in Afghanistan’s innings victory over Ireland in the ICC Intercontinental Cup match at Greater Noida indicates that he is quickly blossoming into a capable first-class bowler. Rashid, who was finally acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 4 crore in February 2017, received the biggest bid of any Associate nation player ever at the same auction that left Imran Tahir, the top-ranked limited-overs bowler in the world at the time, 38, red-faced and without any interest.

He was a totemic presence during his five seasons with Sunrisers, capturing 93 wickets at an economy rate of 6.33. He joined Gujarat Titans in 2022, where he quickly helped the team win the championship by taking 19 wickets.

Fun Facts:

• Nickname: Afghanistan’s Afridi
• Height: 5 feet 9 inches
• Bowling: Right-arm leg-break
• Spouse: Unmarried
• ODI Debut:  18^th October 2015
• ODI Bowling Stats: 83 matches, 79 innings, 158 wickets, Best Bowling in Innings 7/18, 4 5-wicket hauls

6. Jasprit Bumrah

The 27 year old Indian fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, currently ranks 10th on the list of ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings who is the go-to man for the Indian team during the death overs. Jasprit Bumrah came to the limelight all thanks to the Indian Premier League and became nothing short of a boon for Indian cricket.

Jasprit, in the debut ODI match against Australia, took 2 wickets and bowled his 10 overs with an economy of 4.00 showing his class and the potential he can unearth. What people would not know is that in his debut match he came in as a replacement to Mohammad Shami.

Jasprit has delivered consistent performances in coloured clothing and has even become an irreplaceable asset for his captain. How he consistently holds his nerve has drawn comparisons to MS Dhoni and is also called MS Dhoni’s bowling counterpart as a last-over specialist for India.

Fun Facts:

• Nickname: Jassi, JB
• Height: 5 feet 8 inches
• Bowling: Right-arm fast
• Spouse: Sanjana Ganesan (2021)
• ODI Debut: 23^rd January 2016, against Australia
• ODI Bowling Stats: 72 matches, 72 innings, 121 wickets, Best Bowling in Innings 6/19, 2 five wicket hauls

7. Shaheen Afridi

The exceptionally skilled left-arm fast seam bowler is endowed with fathomless potential and inevitably occupies a spot in the top 10 best bowlers in the world. Born in Khyber Agency, Pakistan, on April 6^th, 2000, he made his international debut in the third T20I against West Indies and became the maiden Pakistani cricketer born after the year 2000.

His tall, gangling frame and swift gameplay drove his selection by FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) in 2015 following a U-16 talent search programme. He clinched a spot in the U-16 tour of Australia owing to his speed, strength and conditioning. In the same year, he finally made his ODI debut in the 2018 Asia Cup after being on the national selectors’ radar for quite some time. He made his Test debut for Pakistan in December, becoming the 35th player under the age of 19 to do so.

Shaheen’s 2019 World Cup run was also admirable, even though he did not play every match. He maintained a good pace, delivered subtle variations at the death, finished the tournament with 16 wickets and was among Pakistan’s few bright spots in an otherwise disastrous competition. His record-setting bowling stats of 8 for 39 while making his first-class debut in 2017-2018 sets him apart and qualifies him for a spot in the list of best ODI bowlers in the world.

Fun Facts:

• Nickname: Shaheen Afridi
• Height: 6 feet 6 inches
• Bowling: Left-Arm Fast Seam
• Spouse: Engaged to Ansha Afridi
• ODI Debut: 21^st September 2018
• ODI Bowling Stats: 32 matches, 31 innings, 62 wickets, Best Bowling in Innings 6/35, and 2 five-wicket hauls

8. Mohammad Nabi

Born in 1985, Mohammad Nabi is not your typical cricket player. He started out playing gully cricket in Afghanistan and worked his way up to become a legend who has taken his country to unthinkable heights. Nabi, sometimes referred to as “The Wall” and “The Captain,” is a representation of tenacity, talent, and an unrelenting passion for the game.

His adventure didn’t start on a global scale. He began playing baseball at the age of ten at a camp for refugees, and his skill took off in the Peshawar academies. His career began with a fortuitous meeting with Mike Gatting, which enabled him to play for Afghanistan in their inaugural One-Day International in 2009.

The significance of Nabi goes beyond numbers. He is a fantastic all-around player who can bowl with spin and hit the bat with force. He led Afghanistan as captain, leading them to victory in their maiden test match. 

Fun Facts: 

• Nickname: The President, Mr. President
• Height: 6 ft 0 in 
• Bowling: Right-arm off-spin
• Spouse: Not revealed
• ODI Debut: match against Sri Lanka A in 2007
• ODI Bowling Stats: 158 matches, 153 innings, 163 wickets, Best Bowling in Innings 4/30, 0 five-wicket hauls

9. Maheesh Theekshana

He is a mystery spinner and has been a fantastic find for Sri Lanka, emerging as one of the best bowlers in the world. He made his ODI debut against South Africa in 2021, picking up four wickets. The mystery spinner had a superb ODI debut as Sri Lanka won by 78 runs. 

Theekshana played an important part in the World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, taking 21 wickets and contributing to Sri Lanka’s tournament success. Apart from ODIs, Theekshana has a strong T20 record. In his debut IPL season for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Theekshana took 12 wickets in 9 matches, proving his mettle against seasoned batsmen.

He bowls on the powerplay and frequently delivers critical spells. Theekshana’s unique bowling style, characterized by his sidearm action and variations, has made him a difficult batsman to read.

Fun Facts:

• Nickname: Mahiya, Theeka
• Height: 6 ft 0 in
• Bowling: Right-arm off-break
• Girlfriend: Arthika Yonali
• ODI Debut: Sept 7 2021, for Sri Lanka against South Africa
• ODI Bowling stats: 38 matches, 37 innings, 55 wickets, best bowling in innings 4/25, 0 five-wicket hauls

10. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav, an aspiring left-arm fast bowler, switched to slow left-arm unorthodox (wrist-spin) after recognizing a mismatch with his build. He rose through the ranks and received recognition for his outstanding efforts in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup. 

In 2017, he made his Test debut against Australia, replacing Virat Kohli, and took four wickets to help India win. Yadav made his ODI debut in mid-2017 and demonstrated his skill with significant performances, including a hat-trick against Australia in 2017. During India’s T20 tour of England in 2018, Kuldeep produced a spellbinding performance, taking five wickets for just 24 runs. However, issues arose when batters adapted to wrist spin, diminishing his wicket-taking ability.

Despite the failures, Yadav made a strong comeback, shining in the Test series against Bangladesh in 2022 and playing a key part in limiting South Africa to 99 in an ODI. While not a consistent fixture, he is India’s most potent spin option across forms.

Funs Facts:

• Nickname: KD
• Height: 5 ft 6 in
• Bowler: left-arm fast bowler
• Spouse: Not married
• ODI Debut: Jun 23, 2017, against West Indies
• ODI Bowling stats: 103 matches, 100 innings, 168 wickets, best bowling in innings 6/25, 2 five-wicket hauls.

Also Read: 10 Best Cricket Captains In The World Who Dominated The World Stage

With this, we conclude our list of 10 best Bowlers in the World in ODI format as per the International Cricket Council rankings. How many bowlers on the list did you guess correctly and which ones left you dumbfounded to be on the list. Tell us down in comments.

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