Most wickets in ODI World Cup history: Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan has picked up 282 wickets in 200 ODI matches at an economy rate of 4.93.
India’s Zaheer Khan is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and is one of India’s greatest bowlers. He made his debut in 50-over cricket in 2000 and became the main fast bowler of the team. Zaheer has played 200 ODI matches and picked up 282 wickets at an economy rate of 4.93.
He was very effective for the country in the ICC tournaments and helped India win many crucial matches. His variations in both initial and death overs made him one of the most dangerous bowlers. He was the highest wicket-taker for India in the 2003 and 2011 ODI World Cup campaigns.
Zaheer Khan stats in ODI World Cups
Zaheer Khan has represented the country in the three ODI World Cups (2003, 2007 and 2011). He has consistently delivered for the team in high-pressure situations. Zaheer was the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the 2003 ODI World Cup. He picked up 18 wickets at an economy of 4.23 and at an average of 20.77 in 11 matches. His best performance in that edition came against New Zealand, where he picked up four wickets and conceded 42 runs.
India lost against Australia in the final by a huge margin of 125 runs. Zaheer conceded 67 runs in 7 overs at an economy rate of 9.57 and failed to take any wicket. The Men in Blue had a disappointing campaign in the 2007 World Cup as they were eliminated from the group stage. They only managed to win just 2 matches out of the 4 and failed to qualify for the Super Eight stage. Zaheer only managed to take five wickets in that edition of the World Cup.
He played a crucial role in India's World Cup-winning campaign in 2011. Zaheer was the joint highest wicket-taker in the 2011 edition of the tournament, along with Pakistan's Shahid Afridi. He picked up 21 wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 4.83 and at an average of 19.76. His best performance came against England where he picked up 3 wickets, but the match ended in a tie. He took two wickets each in the semifinal against Pakistan and in the final against Sri Lanka.
Overall, he took 44 wickets in 23 World Cup matches at an economy of 4.47. Zaheer still remains one of India's greatest fast bowlers. He announced his retirement from international cricket in 2015. After his retirement, he worked for Mumbai Indians as the director of cricket and then the head of global development. Currently, Zaheer is working with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as the bowling coach and mentor.