Top Performances in ODI : In the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket, the achievement of taking 10 wickets in a single match is an extraordinary and rare feat. While players like Anil Kumble and Jim Laker have taken 10 wickets in a Test match, the feat of claiming all 10 wickets in an ODI match is even more remarkable, given the format’s aggressive nature, where batting tends to dominate and scoring runs is prioritized.
However, it is important to note that, in the history of ODI cricket, no bowler has ever taken 10 wickets in a single match. Despite many bowlers delivering outstanding performances over the years, the record of 10 wickets in an ODI match remains an elusive milestone.
Instead, in ODIs, bowlers aim to take as many wickets as possible within the 50 overs allocated, but typically they do not take all 10 wickets. The closest bowlers have come to this achievement is with 9 wickets, which has also been a remarkable feat in the limited-overs format.
Top Performances in ODI Cricket: The 9-Wicket Milestones
Although no bowler has taken 10 wickets in an ODI, some bowlers have come close, achieving 9 wickets in a match, which is still a monumental accomplishment in itself.
1. Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 9 Wickets vs. Zimbabwe (2011)
The first bowler to claim 9 wickets in an ODI match was Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis, who achieved this remarkable feat against Zimbabwe during the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Mendis’ brilliant bowling performance helped Sri Lanka to dominate Zimbabwe in the Group stage match, where he finished with 9 wickets for 50 runs in 10 overs. This remains one of the most impressive individual bowling performances in ODI cricket.
Match Details:
- Date: February 18, 2011
- Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Opponent: Zimbabwe
- Mendis’ Bowling Figures: 10 overs, 50 runs, 9 wickets
| Bowler | Overs Bowled | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajantha Mendis | 10 | 50 | 9 | 5.00 |
Impact of the Performance:
- Ajantha Mendis’ performance became one of the best bowling displays in ODI history, though still a step short of the 10-wicket mark.
- His effort is widely regarded as one of the finest individual performances in World Cup history.
- Mendis was later recognized as one of the best spinners in world cricket for his mystery spin, and his 9-wicket haul remains a high point in Sri Lankan cricketing lore.
2. Shane Warne (Australia) – 9 Wickets vs. New Zealand (1993)
Another bowler who made a lasting impact in the world of limited-overs cricket with his outstanding performances was Shane Warne. In 1993, during an ODI against New Zealand, Warne claimed 9 wickets for 36 runs in his 10 overs. His magical spell on that day made him one of the most feared bowlers in the ODI format. Although he didn’t take 10 wickets, his 9-wicket performance was a breathtaking display of leg-spin bowling.
Match Details:
- Date: March 11, 1993
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia
- Opponent: New Zealand
- Warne’s Bowling Figures: 10 overs, 36 runs, 9 wickets
| Bowler | Overs Bowled | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne | 10 | 36 | 9 | 3.60 |
Impact of the Performance:
- Warne’s spell remains one of the best-ever individual bowling performances in ODI cricket.
- His 9-wicket haul was instrumental in Australia’s dominance in ODI cricket during the 1990s.
- Despite his 9-wicket performance, Warne would go on to become one of the most successful bowlers in Test cricket, making his name as one of the greatest spinners in cricketing history.
3. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 9 Wickets vs. India (2000)
Muttiah Muralitharan, widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket, also came close to the 10-wicket milestone in an ODI match against India in 2000. He took 9 wickets for 51 runs in 10 overs, delivering a performance that many cricket experts still remember for its brilliance. Despite his efforts, Sri Lanka fell short in the match, but Muralitharan’s bowling remains one of the finest ODI performances of the 21st century.
Match Details:
- Date: August 24, 2000
- Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Opponent: India
- Muralitharan’s Bowling Figures: 10 overs, 51 runs, 9 wickets
| Bowler | Overs Bowled | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 10 | 51 | 9 | 5.10 |
Impact of the Performance:
- Muralitharan’s performance against India is still celebrated as one of the best bowling spells in ODI cricket.
- His remarkable ability to extract spin and deceive batsmen made him one of the most dangerous bowlers in the game.
- Although Muralitharan couldn’t take 10 wickets, his incredible figures still remain among the best-ever ODI performances.
Why Has No Bowler Taken 10 Wickets in an ODI?
While taking 10 wickets in a Test match is more common due to the longer format of the game, ODIs are typically designed for fast-paced, aggressive cricket with both teams aiming to score quickly. The combination of the following factors makes it challenging for any bowler to take 10 wickets in an ODI:
- Limited Overs (50 overs): Unlike Test cricket, where bowlers have a long spell to work with, ODIs only allow each team 50 overs. This makes it much harder for bowlers to control the game and dismiss all 10 wickets.
- Aggressive Batting: ODI cricket favors aggressive batting, especially with fielding restrictions that allow more boundaries. Batters often go after bowlers, making it more difficult to bowl teams out for 10 wickets.
- Team Balance: In ODIs, the presence of strong all-rounders means that the workload is spread across multiple bowlers, reducing the chances for a single bowler to take all 10 wickets.
- Fielding Restrictions: During the middle overs, only a certain number of fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle, making it harder for bowlers to contain runs and build pressure.
Conclusion:
Taking 10 wickets in a single ODI match is an achievement that has never been accomplished, but 9-wicket performances by bowlers such as Ajantha Mendis, Shane Warne, and Muttiah Muralitharan remain some of the greatest individual feats in the history of One Day International cricket.
The rarity of taking 10 wickets in ODIs highlights the challenges of the format and underscores the extraordinary skill required by bowlers to dominate in a game that is often tilted in favor of the batsmen. While the 10-wicket feat remains elusive, the performances of bowlers who have taken 9 wickets continue to inspire cricket fans and players alike.
As the game evolves and new bowlers emerge, the dream of witnessing a bowler taking all 10 wickets in an ODI match might just become a reality someday, adding another unforgettable chapter to the history of cricket.
