Taking wickets in an ODI match is always valuable, but taking 7 or more wickets in a single innings is extremely rare. In the long history of One Day International cricket, only a handful of bowlers have produced such match-winning spells where they almost single-handedly destroyed the opposition batting line-up.
These performances are remembered not just for the number of wickets, but also for how few runs were conceded and the impact on the match result. Below is a detailed look at the top 10 bowlers with the highest wickets in one ODI match.
Top 10 Highest Wicket-Takers in One ODI Match
| Rank | Player | Team | Wickets | Runs | Overs | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 8 | 19 | 8.0 | Zimbabwe | 2001 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 7 | 12 | 9.0 | West Indies | 2013 |
| 3 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 7 | 15 | 7.0 | Namibia | 2003 |
| 4 | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 7 | 18 | 8.4 | West Indies | 2017 |
| 5 | Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka | 7 | 19 | 5.5 | Zimbabwe | 2024 |
| 6 | Andy Bichel | Australia | 7 | 20 | 10.0 | England | 2003 |
| 7 | Chris Cassell | Scotland | 7 | 21 | 5.4 | Oman | 2024 |
| 8 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 7 | 30 | 10.0 | India | 2000 |
| 9 | Ali Khan | USA | 7 | 32 | 9.4 | Jersey | 2023 |
| 10 | Tim Southee | New Zealand | 7 | 33 | 9.0 | England | 2015 |
Chaminda Vaas
Chaminda Vaas remains the only bowler in ODI history to take 8 wickets in a single innings. His devastating spell against Zimbabwe in 2001 included a hat-trick and bowled Zimbabwe out for just 38 runs. Even after more than two decades, this record remains untouched.
Also see: Top 10 Slowest Centuries in ODI Cricket
Shahid Afridi
Afridi’s 7-wicket haul against West Indies came with incredible control. Giving away only 12 runs, he showed how leg-spin can dominate even powerful batting sides when bowled with confidence.
Glenn McGrath
McGrath’s 7 wickets against Namibia during the 2003 World Cup were a masterclass in accuracy. His spell helped Australia dominate the tournament and highlighted the value of discipline over pace.
Rashid Khan and Hasaranga
Rashid Khan and Wanindu Hasaranga represent the modern era of attacking spin bowling. Their variations, quick pace, and fearless approach have made such big wicket hauls possible even in high-scoring eras.
Associate Nations Making History
Chris Cassell (Scotland) and Ali Khan (USA) proved that associate nations are now producing world-class bowling performances, showing the global growth of ODI cricket.
Also see: Top 10 Fastest to 50 Wickets in ODIs
These extraordinary bowling spells remind us that even in a batter-friendly ODI format, one bowler can completely change the course of a match. From Chaminda Vaas’ historic record to modern-day stars like Rashid Khan and Hasaranga, these performances continue to inspire fast bowlers and spinners across generations.
