ODI cricket used to rule fans’ hearts before the arrival of T20 cricket as the sole white ball format. However, the inception of T20 cricket has changed the approach in the one-day internationals too. In ODI cricket, the batsmen take time to play strokes and do not hurry to play big shots, hence a bowler needs to maintain consistency and demonstrate skills to get the batters out. Taking some wickets in a match is appreciated but getting the fastest 100 wickets in ODI is a milestone in itself, let’s have a look at them.
Sandeep Lamichanne
Nepal’s 22 years old youngster, Sandeep Lamichanne recently eclipsed Afghan sensation Rashid Khan to become the bowler to take the fastest 100 wickets in ODI in just 42 matches, two games fewer than Rashid. Making his ODI debut in 2018 against Namibia, he kickstarted his ODI career with a bang, registering 4/18. In his all outings in the format, the leggie boasts a strike rate of 22.2 and a bowling average of 15.40 enough to choke any batting unit in the globe.
Rashid Khan
Afghan spin wizard Rashid Khan finds himself in 2nd place on the elite list of the fastest 100 wickets in ODI. Rashid spreads terror on the field with his rapid googlies and obscure leg-break deliveries. Representing Afghanistan in 86 games, the ace bowler has bagged wickets at a fascinating strike rate of 26.6 with 4 fifers already in his account. Caribbean wicket-keeper batter, Shai Hope was his 100th victim in his 44th ODI for Afghanistan in the 2019 ICC World Cup qualifier.
Mitchell Starc
The spearhead of the Australian bowling entity, Micthell Starc gets the 3rd spot on the tally of the fastest 100 wickets in ODI as he reached the milestone in his 52nd match. During the 1st ODI of the Sri Lanka tour of Australia in 2016, Starc made Lankan opener Kushal Perrara his 100th prey, castling the timbers. The left-arm seamer from New South Wales wreaks havoc with the new ball swinging at 145 km/hr as well as with the old ball. Creating an armory of yorkers, bouncers, and swing has led Strac to strike often and thrive in ODI cricket.
Saqlain Mushtaq
One of the greatest Pakistani spinners of all time, Saqlain Mushtaq bagged 100 wickets in 53 games, which is the 4th fastest in ODI cricket history. Hailed as the father of Doosra, Mushtaq bamboozled every great batter in his time with his unplayable off-spin and pre-mentioned Doosra. The Pakistani stalwart achieved the feat in the 1997 Independence Cup against Sri Lanka. His record lasted for 19 years until Starc exploded it in 2016.
Shane Bond
Former Kiwi fast bowler Shane Bond can easily be called a synonym for pace due to his menacing speed during his playing days. The Blackcaps legend stands 5th on the premium chart of the fastest 100 wickets in ODI. He made his ODI debut back in 2002 but took mere 54 matches to touch the 100 wickets mark which came against England in the 2007 Commonwealth series. Using his long run-up and strong shoulder, the Canterbury-born bowler made the batsmen clueless and dance on his tune.
List of Fastest 100 Wickets In ODI
| Player | Matches | Against | Year |
| S Lamichanne (NEP) | 42 | Oman | 2023 |
| R Khan (AFG) | 44 | West Indies | 2019 |
| M Starc (AUS) | 52 | Sri Lanka | 2016 |
| S Mushtaq (PAK) | 53 | Sri Lanka | 1997 |
| S Bond (NZ) | 54 | England | 2009 |
| M Rahman (BAN) | 54 | Pakistan | 2019 |
| B Lee (AUS) | 55 | England | 2003 |
| T Boult (NZ) | 56 | West Indies | 2017 |
| M Shami (IND) | 56 | New Zealand | 2019 |
| J Bumrah (IND) | 57 | Sri Lanka | 2019 |
Sandeep Lamichanne has taken the fastest 100 wickets in ODI (42 matches).
Mitchell Starc is the fastest pacer to take 100 ODI wickets (52 matches).
Mohammed Shami is the fastest Indian to collect 100 ODI wickets in just 56 matches.
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
Contact me at info@skyblogs.in