The bowling strike rate in the One Day Internationals (ODIs) holds a great place. It is one of the most underrated yet crucial statistical metrics that reflects a bowler’s effectiveness and impact in limited-overs cricket.
It measures the number of balls bowled by a bowler per wicket taken. A lower strike rate for the bowlers is generally considered better for them, as it signifies their ability to break partnerships and dismiss batsmen more frequently.
Consistently taking wickets match-on-match not only lowers the individual’s bowling strike rate but also puts the lid on the opposition, making it difficult for them to build partnerships and score freely. This helps the bowling team control the game and restrict the opposing team’s total.
Here in this article, we will see the top 10 bowlers with the best bowling strike rate in ODI cricket.
Best Bowling Strike Rate in ODI (Min 50 Wickets)
| Player | Innings | Balls Bowled | Wickets | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corey Anderson (NZ) | 43 | 1485 | 60 | 24.7 |
| Bilal Khan (OMA) | 49 | 2510 | 101 | 24.8 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK) | 58 | 3006 | 119 | 25.2 |
| Mohammed Shami (IND) | 100 | 4985 | 195 | 25.5 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane (NEP) | 56 | 3122 | 121 | 25.8 |
| Haris Rauf (PAK) | 45 | 2178 | 82 | 26.5 |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 127 | 6512 | 244 | 26.6 |
| Shaun Tait (AUS) | 34 | 1688 | 62 | 27.2 |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 84 | 4154 | 152 | 27.3 |
| Mohammed Siraj (IND) | 43 | 1975 | 72 | 27.8 |
If you don’t know how to calculate the bowling strike rate, then here is our guide to help you with that. Check it out!
Key insights from the above stats
Oman’s Bilal Khan, a rather surprising name amid the presence of more established bowlers, is among the best bowlers with an impressive strike rate. The left-arm pacer has been prolific in his ODI career since 2019 and has taken wickets on many crucial occasions.
Another name that many might not associate with having a superior bowling strike rate but finds his mention in the all-time list is New Zealand’s Corey Anderson. The former Kiwi all-rounder featured for his team in 49 ODIs between 2013 and 2017, picking up 60 wickets in the process, and all this at an impressive average of 25.03 with a solitary 5-wicket haul.
We have another player from an associate nation among the top bowlers with the best strike rate in ODI cricket, and he is Sandeep Lamichhane from Nepal. He is among the top ODI wicket-takers in the 2020s decade. The leg-spinner from Nepal also holds the record for the fastest to reach the 100-wicket milestone in ODI cricket (42 matches).
Mohammad Siraj, one of the top ODI bowlers, is next on the list of bowlers with the least strike rate in the format. The Indian pacer has been at his lethal best in the format.
The Pakistani pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are the 2 players from that country who have a great bowling strike rate in ODIs. These players are one of the main reasons for Pakistan’s great showing in white-ball formats in recent years.
Mitchell Starc, the champion Australian pacer, has been exceptional, and he has a great track record in the ODI format. The fact that Starc has the most wickets among everyone on this list makes him so special, and the pacer has always been a force to be reckoned with in ODI World Cups.
