Best ODI Bowlers of the Last 10 Years (2015-2025): The Final Rankings – CricIndeed

The last decade of One-Day International cricket has been a story of a power shift. As batsmen evolved and adopted an aggressive, T20-influenced approach, scoring percentages soared and 300 became the new 250. But amid this batting revolution, a new generation of bowlers emerged, not just to survive, but to dominate. They mastered the art of variation, concealed their pace and perfected their craft under enormous pressure.

Our methodology: Going beyond wickets and averages

This list is a definitive ranking of the best ODI bowlers that defined the last decades (2015-2025). Our list goes beyond mere numbers and evaluates a bowler’s true impact based on a holistic view: their core statistics, their ability to perform at crucial moments and major tournaments like the World Cup, and the sheer intimidation factor they brought with them. This is the last word on the best ODI bowlers of the last 10 yearsa testament to the skill it takes to be a specialist in the modern game.

Ranking of the best ODI bowlers: the top 10

1. Jasprit Bumrah: The Modern Yorker King

When you talk about a bowler who changed the game, you are talking about Jasprit Bumrah. With his unique slingshot action, he has redefined bowling in the modern era. His greatest weapon is his pinpoint accuracy and his ability to bowl a toe-crushing yorker at will, a delivery often cited as the most difficult in the game. jasprit bumrah bowling in the death overs is a masterclass in controlled aggression.

• Total wickets (2015-2025): 149
• Bowling average: 23.55
• Economy rate: 4.70
• Defining moment: His spell of 6/19 against England in 2022, where he dismantled a formidable top order and showcased his raw pace and deadly swing. He has been the most consistent performer for India over the last decade and a true leader of the attack.

2. Mitchell Starc: The World Cup Wrecker

No one has been more decisive in major tournaments than Mitchell Starc. The lanky left-armer possesses a lethal combination of raw pace and devastating late swing with the new ball. His ability to take wickets in clusters with his trademark inswinging yorker makes him a game-changer. Its place as one of the best bowlers in ODIs is cemented by its incredible Cricket World Cup bowling records.

• Total wickets (2015-2025): 244
• Bowling average: 11:40 p.m
• Economy rate: 5.60
• Defining moment: Starc was the Player of the Tournament at the 2015 World Cup and followed this up with a record performance in the 2019 edition, finishing as the highest wicket-taker. Are Mitchell Starc World Cup dominance is second to none, making him a legend of the event.

3. Rashid Khan: The Mystery from Afghanistan

Rashid Khan didn’t just become one of the best ODI bowlershe became ambassador for a cricketing country. His mysterious leg spin is a weapon that has baffled batsmen the world over. With a range of variations, including a virtually unreadable Google and a quick, snappy leg break, he has an incredible one Rashid Khan ODI record for both wickets and economy. He is a true match winner and a true unicorn in the bowling world.

• Total wickets (2015-2025): 199
• Bowling average: 8:40 p.m
• Economy rate: 4.17
• Defining moment: His performance at the 2023 World Cup, where his economic performance and key breakthroughs were crucial to Afghanistan’s surprise victories, demonstrated his ability to control the middle against the world’s best.

4. Trent Boult: Swing’s silent killer

New Zealander Trent Boult is a classic exponent of the art of swing bowling. The left-armer’s ability to move the new ball both ways at a deceptive pace has consistently troubled the world’s best openers. Are Trent Boult swing bowling is a joy to behold, a graceful yet deadly craft that has been a cornerstone of New Zealand’s success over the past decade.

• Total wickets (2015-2025): 211
• Bowling average: 24.38
• Economy rate: 4.99
• Defining moment: Boult’s World Cup performances in 2015, particularly his five-wicket haul against Australia, and his incredible spells in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, cemented his reputation as a big-game player.

5. Mohammed Shami: India’s seam master

Mohammed Shami is a bowler whose career graph is defined by late career mastery. He has a stunning seam position and an unyielding will to attack the stumps. Although he was a great bowler for many years, his form over the last two to three years has been nothing short of phenomenal. The Mohammed Shami statistics of the 2023 World Cup tell a story of pure dominance.

• Total wickets (2015-2025): 206
• Bowling average: 24.05
• Economy rate: 5.59
• Defining moment: Its amazing 7/57 in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, where he single-handedly ripped the heart out of their batting line-up, is one of the best individual bowling performances in a World Cup knockout match.

6. Shaheen Afridi: The new ball terror

Shaheen Shah Afridi has burst onto the scene as one of the most exciting fast bowlers of his generation. His left-arm angle, combined with his fast pace and a deadly inswinging delivery, make him a nightmare for right-handed batsmen. The sight of Shaheen Afridi wickets on the power play has become a familiar and terrifying sight for opponents.

• Total wickets (2015-2025): 131
• Bowling average: 24.28
• Economy rate: 5.56
• Defining moment: His destructive spell at the 2019 World Cup against Bangladesh, where he picked up 6/35marked his arrival on the world stage as a truly elite pacer.

Read: Most ODI wickets for Pakistan

7. Kuldeep Yadav: The Chinese magician

Kuldeep Yadav is a rare and unique talent and one of the few wrist spinners in the world Master the ‘Chinese’ delivery. His deceptive looping and ability to turn the ball both ways without a visible change in action has made him a crucial wicket-taking option for India. The Kuldeep Yadav-Chinese has fooled many a batsman, and his partnership with Yuzvendra Chahal was a defining feature of India’s middle-overs dominance.

• Total wickets (2015-2025): 181
• Bowling average: 26.44
• Economy rate: 5.52
• Defining moment: His hat-trick against Australia in 2017 was a sign of things to come, but his continued form in recent years has cemented his place as a top performer.

8. Kagiso Rabada: The Proteas pace machine

With a smooth, powerful run-up and a ruthless attacking mentality, Kagiso Rabada is the spearhead of South Africa’s pace attack. His ability to generate real pace and sharp jump, combined with his knack for taking wickets at crucial moments, makes him one of the best bowlers in ODIs. The Kagiso Rabada pace is a constant threat, regardless of the circumstances.

• Total wickets (2015-2025): 168
• Bowling average: 27.46
• Economy rate: 5.09
• Defining moment: Its remarkable 6/16 against Bangladesh in 2015 showed the world what he was capable of, and he has been consistently delivering results ever since.

9. Adam Zampa: Australian wrist-spin ace

Adam Zampa has quietly become one of the most reliable and effective leg-spinners in ODI cricket. He may not have the mystery of Rashid Khan, but his consistency, control and clever variations have made him a trusted weapon for Australia. The Adam Zampa stats are a testament to his knack for breaking partnerships and controlling the runs, a rare skill for a leg-spinner in the modern game.

• Total wickets (2015-2025): 187
• Bowling average: 28.57
• Economy rate: 5.55
• Defining moment: His performance during Australia’s victorious 2023 World Cup campaign was a masterclass in middle overs bowling, providing crucial breakthroughs that helped his team win the title.

Read: Which leg-spinner has picked most of Virat Kohli’s wickets in ODI cricket?

10. Josh Hazlewood: the line-and-length specialist

Often underestimated in a team with Starc and Cummins, Josh Hazlewood is a throwback to a classic era of ODI bowling. His precise line and length and ability to nail the ball consistently have made him a nightmare to deal with in all conditions. He is a good example of a bowler who does not rely on raw pace or spin, but rather on ruthless pressure and control.

• Total wickets (2015-2025): 141
• Bowling average: 26.31
• Economy rate: 4.79
• Defining moment: His consistent performances in the powerplay, often tying up one end, have been crucial to Australia’s success, making him a quiet force in their formidable attack.

Conclusion

The last decade has shown that the art of ODI bowling is far from dead. In a hostile batting environment, these ten bowlers not only survived but thrived by mastering their specific skills. From the sheer pace of Rabada and the swing of Starc to the mystery of Rashid Khan and the precision of Bumrah, this era has produced a diverse and complete set of bowling specialists. They have challenged the perception that ODI cricket is just a batsman’s game, which sets a new, higher standard for aggression and skill.

With so many specialists excelling in their unique roles, do you think this era has produced the most diverse and complete set of bowlers in ODI history?