India has always had some of the best bowlers in ODIs. Especially in the case of spinners, the Indian team has been very lucky to have some of the greats. However, many of these bowlers could not replicate their performance in Test cricket.
Anil Kumble is the highest wicket-taker for India in both Tests and ODIs. But if we talk about the top 10 highest wicket-takers in ODIs, then Kumble is not in this list. Kumble is 200 wickets behind top-ranked Muttiah Muralitharan.
At the same time, India has also had veteran bowlers like Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath in ODIs. However, these bowlers could never take more than 40 wickets in a calendar year.
But now cricket is being played more, so now Indian bowlers can achieve this feat as well. In this article, we take a look at 3 Indian bowlers who have taken the most wickets in a calendar year.
Ravindra Jadeja – 2013
In 2013, Ravindra Jadeja took 52 wickets in 34 ODIs and became the third-highest wicket-taker in a calendar year by the Indian bowlers. He bowled 303.3 overs that year and conceded runs at an economy rate of 4.35.
India won the Champions Trophy title in the same year and Ravindra Jadeja was instrumental in that. Jadeja was the highest wicket-taker in that tournament with 12 wickets and won the Golden Ball.
In August the same year, Ravindra Jadeja reached number one in the ODI bowling rankings. He became the fourth Indian bowler to achieve the feat. Ravindra Jadeja is currently an important member of the Indian team and is performing well in all three formats.
Ajit Agarkar – 1998
Ajit Agarkar made his ODI debut only in 1998 and in the same year he managed to take 58 wickets. With this, he became the second highest wicket-taker in ODIs in a calendar year by the Indian bowlers.
Ajit Agarkar played 30 matches for India that year and bowled 268.5 overs. During this, his economy rate was 5.12. Agarkar took 10, 14 and 11 wickets against Australia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe respectively.
Anil Kumble – 1996
In 1996, Anil Kumble took the most wickets in ODIs in a calendar year. He is the highest ODI wicket-taker for India in a calendar year.
That year, Kumble played 32 matches and bowled 304 overs during that time. Anil Kumble had gave away 1235 runs and bowled 16 maidens and during this, his economy rate was 4.06. Anil Kumble took 15 wickets in the 1996 World Cup.
