Well, spinners are often hailed as one of the most crucial additions to the bowling unit of every cricket team in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs). In addition to annihilating the top batting lineup of the opponent team, the spinners also play a crucial role in limiting the scoring potential of the opponent team, thereby providing an undeniable push to their own team. The glorious history of the One-Day Internationals has witnessed numerous prominent spinners, including Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble and many others. However, only a few spinners have been able to reign supreme against the opponent teams and have been able to claim the highest number of wickets so far.
In this article we will take a look at the top four most legendary spinners who hold the record for picking up the highest number of wickets as of July 2025.
Top 4 Spinners With Most Wickets in the ODIs
Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka – 534 Wickets
The legendary Sri Lankan former international cricketer and current coach, Muttiah Muralitharan, is at the first spot in our list of the top four most iconic spinners who have picked up the highest wickets in ODIs. Often hailed as one of the most deadly spinners in the history of international cricket, Muttiah Muralitharan represented Sri Lanka across all formats of international cricket from 1992 to 2011. Additionally, throughout his star-studded international cricketing career, Muttiah Muralitharan picked up a total of 534 wickets at an economy rate of 3.94 and a blistering average of 23.1, which continues to be the highest number of ODI wickets ever picked up by a spinner.
Wasim Akram, Pakistan – 502 Wickets
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At the second spot in our list of the top four most legendary spinners who hold the record for picking up the highest number of wickets as of July 2025 we have the legendary Pakistan former international cricketer and captain of the Pakistan national cricket team, Wasim Akram. Often hailed as the “Sultan of Swing”, Wasim Akram successfully led Pakistan to the finals of the 1999 Cricket World Cup as a captain and earned enormous fame and recognition from cricket aficionados from all over the world. Throughout his dominating international cricketing career, Wasim Akram played a total of 356 ODI matches and picked up a total of 502 wickets, which continues to be the second-highest total of wickets ever picked up by a spinner in the One-Day Internationals.
Waqar Younis – 416 Wickets
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four most iconic spinners who have picked up the highest wickets in the ODIs, we have another Pakistani legendary former international cricketer, Waqar Younis, who is currently appointed as the head coach of Pakistan’s national cricket team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all-time, Waqar Younis represented Pakistan across all formats of international cricket from 1989 to 2003 and played a total of 262 ODI matches, picking up a record total of 416 wickets at an economy rate of 4.68 and a blistering average of 23.8 ranking him at the third spot in our list.
Anil Kumble, India – 337 Wickets
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four most legendary spinners, who hold the record for picking up the highest number of wickets as of July 2025, we have the legendary Indian former international cricketer Anil Kumble, who is still widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the game. Throughout his star-studded international cricketing career that spanned from 1990 to 2008, Anil Kumble played a total of 271 matches and picked up a total of 337 wickets at an average of 30.9 and a phenomenal economy rate of 4.30, ranking him at the fourth spot in our list.
