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One Day International (ODI) format of cricket consists of 50 overs played by each side where match easily lasts a day. Several players have established themselves with top performances. The bowlers have a very crucial role to play in building up the premise for a match apart from batsmen. A lot of bowlers have risen to the occasion and delivered their best when it was most needed. Let us have a look at the bowlers who have been the fastest to pick fifty wickets in ODIs.
Top Bowlers to Reach Fastest 50 wickets in ODI
| No. | Player | Opposition | Matches | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ajantha Mendis | Sri Lanka | 19 | 2009 |
| 2. | Sandeep Lamichhane | Nepal | 22 | 2022 |
| 3. | Ajit Agarkar | India | 23 | 1998 |
| 4. | Mitchell McClenaghan | New Zealand | 23 | 2014 |
| 5. | Dennis Lillee | Australia | 24 | 1980 |
| 6. | Hasan Ali | Pakistan | 24 | 2017 |
| 7. | Kuldeep Yadav | India | 24 | 2018 |
| 8. | Shane Warne | Australia | 25 | 1994 |
| 9. | Matt Henry | New Zealand | 25 | 2016 |
| 10. | Barry McCarthy | Ireland | 25 | 2019 |
Ajantha Mendis (19 matches)
Former Sri-Lankan cricketer and mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis had a fantastic bowling career while playing for Sri Lanka. Mendis was playing his 19th match against Zimbabwe on 12th January 2009, just nine months since his debut when he picked his 50th scalp and became the fastest bowler to reach 50 wicket mark in ODIs. The record continues to stand tall as no other player has been able to do so.
Also see: Top Players With Most Wickets in T20
Sandeep Lamichhane (22 matches)
Sandeep Lamichhane is considered one of the most successful bowlers of Nepal over the years. The leggie completed his fifty-wicket haul in just 22 matches while he was playing against Papua New Guinea where he dismissed Charles Amini of the opponent team.
Also see: Players to Reach Fastest 100 ODI Wickets
Ajit Agarkar (23 matches)
Ajit Agarkar was one of India’s most reliable and deadly fast bowlers of his era. It didn’t take too long for Agarkar to hit the stumps and the headlines as he picked 50 wickets in just 23 matches, making him the fastest bowler to reach 50 wickets from India. The Indian was playing against Zimbabwe when he notched this record, with two wickets and was also the highest wicket taker in that match.
Also see: Top 10 Best Wicketkeeper in The World 2023
Mitchell McClenaghan (23 matches)
Kiwi left-handed quick bowler Mitchel Mclenaghan is New Zealand’s fastest bowler to reach fifty wickets. Mclenaghan showcased his superb display against South Africa while playing his 23rd match as he picked two wickets to add this record’s feather to his cap.
Also see: Most Test Wickets
Denis Lillee (24 matches)
Denis Lillee was one of Australia’s destructive bowlers of his time. He was also considered the perfect bowler due to the presence of each bowling skill he used to display. Lillee was playing his 24th match against India where he scalped two crucial wickets and led his team to victory. This also made him the quickest Australian bowler to hit the fifty-run mark.
Also see: Top 10 Bowlers with the Most Wickets in ODI
Hassan Ali (24 matches)
Pakistan’s Hasan Ali has been one of the vital bowling forces that has led his country to victory on numerous occasions. In his 24th International display against Sri Lanka, Hasan pocketed a five wicket haul that helped his team secure a comfortable victory and become the fastest Pakistan player to reach 50 wickets in ODI.
Also see: Top 50 Most Fifties in ODI
Kuldeep Yadav (24 matches)
India’s left arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav has been India’s most efficient spinners in all formats of the game. Kuldeep is only the second fastest Indian player after Ajith Agarkar to reach 50 wickets in ODI but the only spinner to do so. Kuldeep was playing against Hong Kong in 2018 where he picked 2 wickets which helped his team secure a comfortable victory.
Shane Warne (25 matches)
Known as the magician of spin deliveries, Shane Warne would only require 25 matches to become the fastest spinner from his country to achieve a formidable milestone of 50 wickets. Playing against Sri Lanka on their home soil in Colombo, Warne picked 2 wickets at crucial junctures of the game. Although, he couldn’t take his team to victory, he achieved another scintillating milestone to his name.
Matt Henry (25 matches)
New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry is known for his fiery quick deliveries. Undoubtedly, Henry was also the second quickest bowler from his country after his compatriot Mitchell McClenaghan to reach fifty wickets. Henry was playing against Australia as New Zealand were hosting their opponents. Henry picked 3 important wickets to reach his fifty wickets of his career.
Barry McCarthy (25 matches)
Irish bowling sensation Barry McCarthy became the fastest bowler from his country to reach 50 wickets in ODI. McCarthy was playing against the West Indies where picked two wickets. Though he couldn’t lead his team to victory, he ensured that he kept this record to his name.
