Top Five Wicket-Takers Of World Cup 2023

image-lp6ymtziJasprit Bumrah with Mohammed Shami at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Amidst the resounding echoes of high-scoring World Cup 2023 matches, it was the silent artistry of the bowlers that etched its mark upon the tournament’s narrative. These custodians of precision and strategy stood out as stalwarts for their teams, with some of their performances shaping up critical moments and turning the tide in the most gripping encounters.

After Australia proudly lifted its sixth World Cup title with an emphatic win in the final, it becomes imperative to recognize and celebrate the remarkable feats of the top five wicket-takers whose bowling marvels illuminated the course of this high-octane cricketing carnival in India.


Top Five World Cup 2023 Wicket-Takers:

Bowler
Matches
Wickets
Average
Mohammed Shami72410.70
Adam Zampa112322.39
Dilshan Madushanka 92125.00
Jasprit Bumrah112018.65
Gerald Coetzee 82019.80


1. Mohammed Shami - 24 wickets

image-lp6yt6wtMohammed Shami celebrating a NZ wicket at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Perennial World Cup underachiever Mohammed Shami, despite missing out on India’s first four league fixtures, finished the tournament with 24 wickets to his name. The cricketer kicked off his World Cup crusade with a sizzling five-fer against New Zealand, and followed it up with identical match-winning spells against England and Sri Lanka in successive games.

Shami’s rare wicketless outing against Netherlands was succeeded by a record seven-fer in the semifinals, where the speedster registered India’s best ever bowling figures in a World Cup match. Through the course of his 24-wicket tournament haul, the pace veteran also became the fastest bowler in World Cup history to complete 50 wickets (17 matches), bettering the remarkable feats previously held by Mitchell Starc and Lasith Malinga.

While his side fell short at the brink of World Cup glory, his bowling masterclass revealed his immense potential that had often been overlooked from his previous World Cup appearances.


2. Adam Zampa - 23 wickets

image-lp6z51foAdam Zampa celebrating a wicket at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Australia’s enigma machine Adam Zampa emerged as the sole spinner among the distinguished top five wicket-takers of the 2023 World Cup. His three successive four-fers, against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Netherlands signalled Australia’s unbeaten streak following their two losses upfront. The leg-spinner also shattered New Zealand and England in high-scoring thrillers with three-wicket hauls before delivering a tight spell against India in the final.

Adam Zampa eventually finished his 45-day run in India with 23 wickets and a World Cup medal to his name, as he confidently ascended the winner’s podium, embodying the pivotal role of spin bowling in securing Australia’s triumph on the grandest stage of international cricket.


3. Dilshan Madushanka - 21 wickets

image-lp6zlsrrDilshan Madushanka celebrating Virat Kohli's wicket at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Sri Lankan pace prodigy Dilshan Madushanka took field for his country at the 2023 World Cup with just six ODI matches in his profile. Having made his 50-overs international debut mere months prior to the launch of the tournament, the 23-year-old paceman stunned one and all with his new-ball movement and death overs dexterity.

In the midst of Sri Lanka’s tumultuous campaign, Dilshan Madushanka’s exceptional display emerged as a singular ray of brilliance. He finished his maiden World Cup run with 21 wickets all while maintaining an impressive average of 25, with a four-fer against Netherlands and a five-fer against a batting-heavy Indian unit to his name.


4. Jasprit Bumrah - 20 wickets

image-lp701tghJasprit Bumrah celebrating a wicket at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

India’s evergreen pacer and captain Rohit Sharma’s go-to man Jasprit Bumrah fittingly justified his reputation as one of his country’s finest new-ball exponent. Throughout India’s entire 11-match World Cup 2023 journey, the 30-year-old spearheaded the Indian pace attack to bag an impressive haul of 20 wickets. Remarkably, he maintained an economy rate (4.06) superior to that of every other tournament bowler with more than one wicket to their name.

Bumrah also formed a fearsome pace triad with fellow new-ball speed demons Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, and their collective success oversaw emphatic Indian triumphs up until the day of the final.


5. Gerald Coetzee - 20 wickets

image-lp70dvs3Gerald Coetzee in action at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Much like Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka, South African thunderbolt Gerald Coetzee entered the 2023 World Cup with six prior appearances and less than a year’s worth of international experience. Despite navigating uncharted territories, Coetzee emerged as a standout performer of a team boasting a formidable bowling arsenal, comprising Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen.

Apart from headlining South Africa’s remarkable wins over Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the 23-year-old paceman also gave Australia a scare to remember in their high-octane World Cup 2023 semifinal showdown. Unfortunately for the youngster, his side failed to go past yet another knockout hurdle despite having finished the league stage as one of the best teams on the points table.