The Asia Cup 2025 has been a showcase not only for batters but also for bowlers making decisive breakthroughs. Leading the pack is Kuldeep Yadav from India, who has claimed the most wickets in the tournament so far. In this report, we dig into who the top wicket-takers are, how they’ve performed, and what makes Kuldeep’s performance stand out.
Top Wicket-Takers in Asia Cup 2025
Below is a table summarizing the leading wicket-takers in the tournament:
| Rank | Player | Matches | Overs / Balls | Wickets | Bowling Avg | Runs Conceded | Best Bowling | 4-wicket hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuldeep Yadav (IND) | 5 | 17.1 overs (103 balls) | 12 | 8.08 | 97 | 4/7 | 1 |
| 2 | Junaid Siddique (UAE) | 3 | 9.0 overs (54 balls) | 9 | 6.33 | 57 | 4/18 | 2 |
| 3 | Shaheen Afridi (PAK) | 6 | 20.5 overs (125 balls) | 9 | 16.00 | 144 | 3/17 | — |
| 4 | Mustafizur Rahman (BAN) | 6 | 23.0 overs (138 balls) | 9 | 19.00 | 171 | 3/20 | — |
| 5 | Haris Rauf (PAK) | 4 | 14.4 overs (88 balls) | 9 | 12.78 | 115 | 3/33 | — |
| 6 | Saim Ayub (PAK) | 6 | 17.0 overs (102 balls) | 8 | 14.00 | 112 | 3/35 | — |
| 7 | Rishad Hossain (BAN) | 5 | 16.0 overs (96 balls) | 8 | 14.00 | 112 | 2/18 | — |
| 8 | Taskin Ahmed (BAN) | 4 | 16.0 overs (96 balls) | 8 | 17.13 | 137 | 3/28 | — |
| 9 | Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 5 | 20.0 overs (120 balls) | 7 | 17.00 | 119 | 2/22 | — |
| 10 | Mahedi Hasan (BAN) | 4 | 16.0 overs (96 balls) | 6 | 18.33 | 110 | 2/25 | — |
Read Also:- Asia Cup Winners List (From 1984 to 2025)
What Makes Kuldeep Yadav Stand Out
Exceptional Average & Economy
- Bowling average of 8.08: That means, on average, he concedes just over 8 runs per wicket.
- Best economy among top bowlers: Given he conceded only 97 runs in 17.1 overs, his economy is tight and effective.
Consistency & Breakthrough Ability
- He consistently picked up wickets across matches, not just in occasional spells.
- His best bowling figure of 4/7 is the most penetrative among the top bowlers in the tournament.
Comparison with Others
- Junaid Siddique has an even better average of 6.33, but he played fewer matches (3) and achieved fewer wickets than Kuldeep’s total.
- Shaheen Afridi, Mustafizur, and Haris Rauf also grabbed 9 wickets each, but their averages and runs conceded show they have been less economical or more expensive.
Read Also:- Most Wickets in Asia Cup History (ODI & T20I)
Team-wise Leading Bowlers
Here are some of the standout bowlers from each team:
- India: Kuldeep Yadav (12)
- UAE: Junaid Siddique (9)
- Pakistan: Shaheen Afridi (9), Haris Rauf (9), Saim Ayub (8)
- Bangladesh: Mustafizur Rahman (9), Rishad Hossain (8), Taskin Ahmed (8), Mahedi Hasan (6)
- Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga (7), N Thushara (6 in some matches)
These figures show how well Kuldeep compares even among a crowded field of high-performing bowlers.
Bowling Strategies & Impact
Kuldeep’s success hinges upon mixing flights, spin, and control over his line and length. He didn’t rely only on pace or variation—he combined both.
The pitches in the UAE tend to assist spinners, especially in the middle overs. Kuldeep capitalized on that by getting turn and bounce, making life difficult for batters.
Read Also:- Most Successful Captains in Asia Cup History (T20 & ODI)
Final Thoughts
As Asia Cup 2025 advances, Kuldeep Yadav has firmly established himself as the standout bowler. His ability to pick up wickets economically, across matches, and at key moments gives him a unique edge. Others are close behind, but Kuldeep remains the benchmark.
