While fans often celebrate the heroics of batsmen, it’s the bowlers who have truly defined the modern game with their skill and unwavering temperament. From navigating the pressures of a five-day Test match to delivering pinpoint yorkers in the final over of a T20, the strategic brilliance required to take a wicket is hard to ignore.
This piece isn’t just a list; it’s a deep dive into the leading wicket-takers who have dominated international cricket since the start of the 2020s. We break down the most wickets across all formats combined (check the overall list here), revealing the elite few who have consistently outsmarted batsmen to rack up the highest combined wicket tally. Discover which bowlers are leaving an indelible mark on the decade’s bowling records.
Most Wickets since 2020 in All Formats
| Player | Innings | Wickets | Average | 5 Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Afridi (PAK) | 176 | 292 | 24.92 | 5 |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 167 | 277 | 27.94 | 5 |
| Alzarri Joseph (WI) | 160 | 264 | 28.24 | 3 |
| Jasprit Bumrah (IND) | 134 | 257 | 20.45 | 11 |
| Pat Cummins (AUS) | 141 | 251 | 24.72 | 9 |
| Kagiso Rabada (SA) | 139 | 250 | 24.24 | 9 |
| Tim Southee (NZ) | 151 | 245 | 26.82 | 7 |
| Josh Hazlewood (AUS) | 152 | 241 | 23.08 | 6 |
| Adam Zampa (AUS) | 146 | 234 | 23.38 | 2 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 135 | 226 | 20.10 | 4 |
Discover All “Since 2020” Cricket Records
Most Runs in Test Cricket Since 2020
Most Runs in ODI Cricket Since 2020
Most Runs in T20I Cricket Since 2020
Most Runs in All Formats Combined Since 2020
Most Wickets in Test Cricket Since 2020
Most Wickets in ODI Cricket Since 2020
Most Wickets in T20I Cricket Since 2020
Most Wickets in All Formats Combined Since 2020
Key Insights – Most Prolific All-format Bowlers in 2020s
As you can see, the above list is a mixture of young and experienced bowlers.
Experienced bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are leading by example as they claim wickets at crucial moments in the game.
Shaheen Afridi, the young Pakistani pacer, continues to be a formidable force. His express pace and toe-crushing yorkers make him a constant threat to batsmen in all three formats.
The West Indies’ pacer Alzarri Joseph is a ray of hope for his team as they try to regroup and dominate the world of cricket again.
New Zealand’s Tim Southee, a veteran of the game, recently announced his retirement from Test cricket. He leaves a legacy of claiming crucial wickets and leading by example throughout his career.
India’s ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also retired from international cricket, leaving an incredible legacy in the Test format. Having recently crossed the 500-wicket milestone, he now holds a place among the legends of the game.
