Taking 50 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs) is a major achievement for any bowler. Doing it faster than others shows not just skill, but also immediate impact at the international level. Over the years, a few bowlers have stunned the cricket world by reaching 50 ODI wickets in very few matches.
From mystery spinners to express fast bowlers, this list includes legends, modern stars, and even players from associate nations. Below is the updated list of the top 10 fastest bowlers to 50 ODI wickets, measured from debut to the match in which they reached the milestone.
Fastest to 50 Wickets in ODI Cricket (Top 10)
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Time Taken | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ajantha Mendis | Sri Lanka | 19 | 0y 277d | Zimbabwe | Mirpur |
| 2 | Sandeep Lamichhane | Nepal | 22 | 3y 237d | PNG | Kirtipur |
| 3 | Ajit Agarkar | India | 23 | 0y 182d | Zimbabwe | Harare |
| 4 | Mitchell McClenaghan | New Zealand | 23 | 1y 278d | South Africa | Mount Maunganui |
| 5 | Dennis Lillee | Australia | 24 | 8y 116d | India | Sydney |
| 6 | Hasan Ali | Pakistan | 24 | 1y 61d | Sri Lanka | Abu Dhabi |
| 7 | Kuldeep Yadav | India | 24 | 1y 87d | Hong Kong | Dubai |
| 8 | Shane Warne | Australia | 25 | 1y 173d | Sri Lanka | Colombo |
| 9 | Matt Henry | New Zealand | 25 | 2y 8d | Australia | Hamilton |
| 10 | Barry McCarthy | Ireland | 25 | 2y 323d | West Indies | Dublin |
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 19 Matches
Mendis still holds the record for the fastest 50 ODI wickets. His carrom ball and sharp drift shocked batters during 2008–09. Teams struggled to read him, and he dominated world cricket in his early years.
Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal) – 22 Matches
Nepal leg-spinner proved that associate nations can produce world-class talent. His control, googlies, and calm mindset helped him reach 50 wickets quickly, making him a global T20 and ODI star.
Ajit Agarkar (India) – 23 Matches
Agarkar reached 50 wickets in record time thanks to raw pace and bounce. Early in his career, he was a genuine strike bowler who could break partnerships with the new ball.
Mitchell McClenaghan (New Zealand) – 23 Matches
The left-arm pacer used swing and smart variations. His ability to attack in powerplays helped him reach the milestone rapidly against strong teams.
Also see: Top 5 Slowest T20 Innings by Indian Batters
Dennis Lillee (Australia) – 24 Matches
A legend of fast bowling, Lillee dominated even in ODI cricket early days. His aggression and accuracy laid the foundation for modern fast bowling.
Hasan Ali (Pakistan) – 24 Matches
Hasan Ali golden run in 2017 made him one of the most feared bowlers. Reverse swing, energy, and wicket-taking ability helped him reach 50 wickets in just over a year.
Kuldeep Yadav (India) – 24 Matches
India’s left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav brought a new dimension to ODI bowling. His variations troubled batters worldwide, especially in middle overs.
Shane Warne (Australia) – 25 Matches
Warne redefined leg-spin in limited-overs cricket. Even though ODIs were not spin-friendly in the 1990s, his skill and confidence stood out.
Matt Henry (New Zealand) – 25 Matches
Henry’s strength lies in discipline and swing bowling. He became a key ODI bowler for New Zealand, especially in helpful conditions.
Barry McCarthy (Ireland) – 25 Matches
McCarthy showed that Ireland can compete at a high level. His consistent line and movement earned him wickets against stronger teams like West Indies.
