Top 10 Bowlers with the Most Wickets in a Single World Cup

The ICC Cricket World Cup is the ultimate platform for cricketers to showcase their skills, and while batters often steal the limelight, it’s the bowlers who win tournaments. Whether it’s defending low totals, delivering dream spells, or dominating entire line-ups — these men proved that taking most wickets wins matches.

This article brings you the elite list of players who claimed the most wickets in a single World Cup, defining their legacy on the biggest stage of them all. These aren’t just stats — these are the tournament-changers.

10. Zaheer Khan – 21 Wickets (2011)

• Matches: 9
• Average: 18.76
• Best Figures: 3/20

India’s spearhead during their victorious 2011 campaign, Zaheer delivered in key moments and consistently broke partnerships.

9. Brett Lee – 22 Wickets (2003)

• Matches: 10
• Average: 17.90
• Best Figures: 5/42

Lee’s pace was electric in 2003. His hostile spells crushed batting line-ups and pushed Australia toward a dominating title run.

8. Wahab Riaz – 22 Wickets (2011)

• Matches: 8
• Average: 18.63
• Best Figures: 5/46

Riaz’s fiery aggression was a major force behind Pakistan’s semifinal journey. He clocked high pace and bold energy.

7. Muttiah Muralitharan – 23 Wickets (2007)

• Matches: 10
• Average: 15.26
• Best Figures: 4/19

The spin wizard confused and crushed batters in Caribbean conditions, taking key wickets game after game.

6. Mitchell Starc – 22 Wickets (2019)

• Matches: 10
• Average: 23.18
• Best Figures: 5/26

Though not in the winning team this time, Starc’s yorkers and pace rattled even the best. He was Australia’s lone warrior.

5. Mitchell Starc – 27 Wickets (2019)

• Matches: 10
• Average: 18.59
• Best Figures: 5/26

Yes, again! Starc broke records in 2019, becoming the first to take 27 wickets in a single World Cup edition.

4. Glenn McGrath – 26 Wickets (2007)

• Matches: 11
• Average: 13.73
• Best Figures: 3/18

In his farewell tournament, McGrath’s accuracy helped him finish with the most wickets in that edition, securing Australia’s third straight title.

3. Roger Harper – 27 Wickets (1983)

• Matches: 8
• Average: 13.33
• Best Figures: 6/28

One of the lesser-remembered stars, Harper was a monster with the ball in 1983 and one of the best wicket-takers in that classic edition.

2. Mohammed Shami – 24 Wickets (2023)

• Matches: 7
• Average: 10.70
• Best Figures: 7/57

Shami wasn’t even in India’s first XI initially, but once picked, he was unstoppable. His record-breaking 7-wicket haul made him India’s highest World Cup wicket-taker.

1. Mitchell Starc – 27 Wickets (2019)

• Matches: 10
• Average: 18.59
• Best Figures: 5/26

Starc leads the chart with the most wickets in a single World Cup edition, and his record still stands in 2025. His mix of inswinging yorkers and raw pace was nearly unplayable.

Every batter’s nightmare, these bowlers showed up when it mattered most — on the world stage. The names here didn’t just perform, they dominated. Having the most wickets in a single World Cup is not just a personal milestone — it’s a mark of consistent destruction, pressure, and world-class skill.

Whether it was Starc’s scorching speed or Muralitharan’s magical spin, each of these bowlers wrote their name in cricketing history with spells that fans will never forget.

FAQ – Most Wickets in a Single World Cup!