Cricket has always been a game of records, and for bowlers, taking wickets is the ultimate prize. Reaching 50 wickets in ODIs is a big moment, but doing it faster than anyone else makes it even more special. From fiery pacers to tricky spinners, several bowlers have reached this mark in record time. Let’s look at the legends who achieved the fastest 50 wickets in ODI cricket and wrote their names in history.
List of Fastest 50 Wickets in ODI
Reaching 50 wickets in ODIs is a huge milestone for any bowler, and doing it quickly shows talent and consistency. Here’s a list of the top 20 fastest bowlers to reach 50 wickets in ODI cricket, along with their stats:
| Rank | Player | Country | Time Taken | Matches Taken |
| 1 | BAW Mendis | SL | 0y 277d | 19 |
| 2 | S Lamichhane | NEP | 3y 237d | 22 |
| 3 | AB Agarkar | IND | 0y 182d | 23 |
| 4 | MJ McClenaghan | NZ | 1y 278d | 23 |
| 5 | DK Lillee | AUS | 8y 116d | 24 |
| 6 | Hasan Ali | PAK | 1y 61d | 24 |
| 7 | Kuldeep Yadav | IND | 1y 87d | 24 |
| 8 | SK Warne | AUS | 1y 173d | 25 |
| 9 | MJ Henry | NZ | 2y 8d | 25 |
| 10 | BJ McCarthy | IRE | 2y 323d | 25 |
| 11 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | PAK | 2y 198d | 25 |
| 12 | Zahoor Khan | UAE | 5y 44d | 25 |
| 13 | LS Pascoe | AUS | 4y 239d | 26 |
| 14 | BP Patterson | WI | 2y 31d | 26 |
| 15 | CEL Ambrose | WI | 1y 216d | 26 |
| 16 | Hamid Hassan | AFG | 5y 309d | 26 |
| 17 | Rashid Khan | AFG | 1y 157d | 26 |
| 18 | L Ngidi | SA | 2y 26d | 26 |
| 19 | Waqar Younis | PAK | 1y 26d | 27 |
| 20 | SE Bond | NZ | 1y 120d | 27 |
BAW Mendis – Sri Lanka
Ajantha Mendis, also known as BAW Mendis, is a legendary Sri Lankan spinner who shocked the cricket world with his mystery spin. He made his ODI debut in 2008 and quickly became famous for his unique bowling style that confused even the best batsmen. Mendis became one of the fastest to take 50 ODI wickets, achieving the milestone in just 19 games and demonstrating his exceptional bowling skills early on. His performance earned him a place among the top bowlers in ODI history and made him a key player for Sri Lanka during his prime.
S Lamichhane – Nepal
Sandeep Lamichhane is a talented young spinner from Nepal who quickly gained international attention for his sharp leg-spin and clever variations. He made his ODI debut in 2018 and soon became a key player for Nepal in limited-overs cricket. Sandeep Lamichhane achieved 50 wickets in ODIs in only 22 matches, establishing himself as one of the quickest bowlers globally to reach this milestone. His early success has made him a rising star and a role model for aspiring cricketers from Associate nations.
AB Agarkar – India
Ajit Agarkar was a fast bowler from India known for his pace and ability to take quick wickets. He made an immediate impact after his debut in 1998 and became one of India’s most promising bowlers. Agarkar achieved the milestone of fastest 50 wicket taker in ODI in just 23 matches, showing his skill and consistency in the early part of his career. His record made him a key player for India and earned him a place among the fastest bowlers to reach this landmark in ODI cricket.
MJ McClenaghan – New Zealand
Mitchell McClenaghan is a fast bowler from New Zealand known for his pace and ability to swing the ball both ways. After making his ODI debut in 2013, he quickly established himself as an important player for New Zealand. McClenaghan reached 50 wickets in ODIs in just 23 matches, showing his effectiveness and consistency early in his career. His performances helped New Zealand win important matches and made him one of the most promising fast bowlers of his generation.
DK Lillee – Australia
Dennis Lillee is considered one of the greatest fast bowlers in Australia’s cricket history. Famous for his pace, precision, and fierce bowling style, he troubled batsmen throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Lillee achieved 50 ODI wickets in just 24 matches, proving his talent and consistency early in his career. His outstanding performances made him a vital part of the Australian team and left a lasting mark on the history of fast bowling.
Read More: Fastest 4000 Runs in Test Cricket
Hasan Ali – Pakistan
Pakistan’s Hasan Ali made an immediate impact after his ODI debut in 2016. His fast bowling, swing, and knack for taking wickets made him a standout player. In just 24 matches, he achieved the fastest 50 wickets in ODI cricket, earning him recognition as one of the most talented bowlers of his generation.
Kuldeep Yadav – India
Kuldeep Yadav is a skilled left-arm wrist spinner from India who quickly made a mark in international cricket with his unique spin and clever variations. He made his ODI debut in 2017 and soon became a key bowler for India in limited-overs matches. Kuldeep Yadav achieved the fastest 50 wickets in ODI cricket in just 24 matches, showing his talent and consistency early in his career. His ability to take crucial wickets made him one of India’s most promising young bowlers.
What Makes These Bowlers So Quick to 50 Wickets
The fastest 50 wicket takers in ODI cricket share some common qualities: skill, accuracy, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Fast bowlers use speed and movement in the air, while spinners depend on different spins and changes in flight to confuse the batsman. Combining these skills with hard work and smart strategies allows them to take wickets consistently and achieve records early in their careers.
Conclusion
Reaching 50 wickets quickly in ODI cricket is a true mark of a bowler’s talent, consistency, and dedication. The players on this list, from legends like Dennis Lillee and Ajit Agarkar to modern stars like Kuldeep Yadav and Hasan Ali, have shown remarkable skill and determination to achieve this milestone in record time. These bowlers not only made history but also inspired future generations to aim high and bowl with precision, patience, and passion. Whether you are a cricket fan or an aspiring bowler, their achievements remind us that hard work and smart strategies can turn talent into unforgettable records.
FAQs
1. Who holds the record for the fastest 50 wickets in ODI cricket?
Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka holds the record, achieving 50 wickets in just 19 matches.
2. How many matches does it usually take for bowlers to reach 50 wickets in ODIs?
Top bowlers can reach 50 wickets in 19–27 matches, depending on skill, form, and match opportunities.
3. Which Indian bowler reached 50 wickets the fastest in ODIs?
Ajit Agarkar and Kuldeep Yadav are India’s fastest 50 wicket takers in ODIs, reaching the milestone in 23 and 24 matches respectively.
4. Do spinners or fast bowlers reach 50 wickets faster in ODIs?
Both can achieve it quickly, but many spinners like Ajantha Mendis have reached 50 wickets faster due to clever variations and consistent wicket-taking ability.
5. Why is reaching 50 wickets quickly considered important?
Reaching 50 wickets quickly shows a bowler’s skill, consistency, and early impact in international cricket, making them valuable for their team.
6. Who are some modern bowlers achieving this milestone quickly?
Bowlers like Hasan Ali, Kuldeep Yadav, and Rashid Khan have reached 50 wickets in ODIs in record time in recent years.