When discussing legendary spinners in international cricket, Muttiah Muralitharan instantly comes to mind. The great Sri Lankan bowler holds the world record for the highest number of bowled dismissals across Test, T20, and ODI formats. Throughout his 19-year long international career, he not only topped the charts for taking the most wickets overall, but he also cemented his legacy by rattling stumps more times than any other bowler in history.
The Unmatched Milestone Held by Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan picked up a total of 1,347 international wickets, which remains the highest tally ever recorded. Out of these, an astonishing 21.52 percent of his scalps came through bowled dismissals. Put into numbers, he rattled the timber of 290 batters over the course of his 495-match career. This stands as a staggering milestone that feels nearly impossible for any modern bowler to approach or surpass.
Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in the Standings
Before Muralitharan claimed the top spot, this prestigious record belonged to legendary Pakistani pace icon Wasim Akram. Between 1984 and 2003, Wasim Akram played 460 international matches and bowled out a total of 278 batters. He held this distinction for a long time until Muralitharan crossed the 278 mark to push him down to second place. However, Wasim Akram still retains the number-one rank for the most bowled dismissals specifically by a fast bowler. The third spot on the overall list belongs to Akram’s compatriot Waqar Younis, who destroyed the stumps of 253 batters during his peak years.
Other Legends in the Top Five
The fourth position on this elite list is held by Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who stands as the only active cricketer in the top five. Mitchell Starc has successfully bowled 223 batters so far. Meanwhile, England's James Anderson, renowned as the highest-wicketing fast bowler in world cricket, occupies the fifth spot on the chart. James Anderson concluded his illustrious career after cleaning up 201 batters via bowled dismissals.
Indian Bowlers and Anil Kumble's Benchmark
For India, this particular record belongs to Anil Kumble, who sits comfortably in sixth place on the overall list. As the highest wicket-taker for India in international cricket, Anil Kumble accounted for 186 bowled victims. Kapil Dev stands as the second-highest Indian on this list, having dismissed 167 batters through bowled modes. On the global stage, Kapil Dev occupies the eighth position in world cricket.
Jasprit Bumrah Nears History
Jasprit Bumrah has a prime opportunity to rewrite history by eventually surpassing Anil Kumble’s Indian record. Regarded as one of the most lethal fast bowlers of the modern era, Jasprit Bumrah has already cleaned up 164 batters across 238 matches. He requires just 23 more bowled wickets to eclipse Kumble, a feat well within his capabilities. Among active players, only Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc feature in the top-10 list of bowlers with the most bowled dismissals, with Bumrah currently holding the 10th position. Other legendary names featuring further up in the broader rankings include Shoaib Akhtar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Imran Khan, and Courtney Walsh.
