Most 5-Wicket Hauls in Cricket History (T20s+Tests+ODIs)

In the grand arena of cricket, batting may win hearts, but bowling wins matches. The greatest hallmark of a truly great bowler is their ability to tear apart the batting lineup. And there is nothing better than taking five wickets. It is also known as “taking five wickets”.

Taking five wickets means dominance. This is when a bowler rises above the opposition, changing the course of a match in just one innings or spell. From the magical spin of Muttiah to the yorker of Younis and the rise of modern stars, the art of wicket-taking continues to evolve across all formats.

Let’s take a look at the players who have taken the most 5 wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, who have made bowling an art form.

Most 5-Wicket Hauls in Test Cricket

Muttiah Muralitharan: Spin Wizard

When it comes to bowling legends, Muttiah Muralitharan’s name stands higher than any other. Murali’s record of taking 67 five-wicket hauls in 133 Tests is unmatched by anyone. His wrist action and unmatched consistency have made him a legend, especially in the subcontinent. Murali’s second and topspin bowling has surprised even the best batsmen. He was crowned when he took his 800th Test wicket by dismissing Pragyan Ojha in 2010.

Ravichandran Ashwin: The Thinking Spinner

India’s magician, Ravichandran Ashwin, has made spin bowling an art of intelligence and adaptability. With 37 five-wicket hauls, he is second on the all-time list. Variations like the carrom ball, slider and dipper have been part of his arsenal that has dominated in all conditions. He is the fastest Indian to take 300 Test wickets. And he is one of the few bowlers to have scored more than 3,000 runs and taken more than 500 wickets, which shows his all-round talent.

Shane Warne: The King of Leg Spin

The late Shane Warne revolutionised leg-spin bowling in the 1990s. With 37 five-fours, his control, skill and ability to outscore batsmen made him a generational great. His “Ball of the Century” to Mike Gatting in 1993 is one of the most iconic bowlers in cricket. This rivalry between Warne and Muralitharan took both players to new heights, each trying to outdo the other and set big records. Warne finished his Test career with 708 wickets, a record at the time.

Sir Richard Hadlee: The Kiwi Destroyer

Sir Richard Hadlee was New Zealand’s first true fast-bowling icon. He is still considered one of the most efficient wicket-takers in cricket, taking 36 five-wicket hauls in just 86 Tests. He became known as the “Sultan of the Seam” for his unrivalled line, swing and discipline.

Anil Kumble: The Silent Assassin

Anil Kumble was India’s unstoppable workhorse, a leg-spinner who relied more on precision and bounce than big turns. His most memorable performance came in 1999, when he became only the second bowler in Test cricket history to take all ten wickets in an innings against Pakistan.

Most 5-Wicket Hauls in ODIs

Waqar Younis: The Toe Crusher

Waqar Younis was one of Pakistan’s all-time greats and terrorised batsmen in the 1990s. His ability to reverse swing the ball at a rapid pace made him one of the most lethal fast bowlers of all time. With five wickets in 13 ODIs, Waqar holds the record for the highest bowling figures in the format. His lethal yorkers earned him the nickname “Toe Crusher”, and his 7/36 against England in 2001 is still one of the best ODI bowling figures. Muttiah Muralitharan was the epitome of consistency. He dominated not only Tests but also ODIs with 10 five-wicket hauls. His variations worked like magic on turning tracks, single-handedly breaking several partnerships.

Mitchell Starc: The Modern Left-Arm Thunderbolt

Australia’s Mitchell Starc is the epitome of pace and accuracy. With five wickets in nine ODIs, Starc has been a potent weapon for Australia for over a decade. His ability to swing the new ball and bowl deadly yorkers in the death overs makes him one of the best white-ball bowlers of the modern era. He also holds the record for most wickets in a single Cricket World Cup (27 in 2019), thus proving his dominance on the world stage.

Brett Lee and Shahid Afridi: The fearsome pair

Brett Lee, one of the fastest bowlers to play cricket. He has also taken nine five-wicket hauls with Pakistan’s unpredictable leg-spinning all-rounder Shahid Afridi. Lee’s pure pace – usually in excess of 150 km/h – and consistency make him a nightmare for batsmen. On the other hand, Afridi has often broken partnerships with amazing flight and drift. He has done so especially in subcontinental conditions.

Most 5-Wicket Hauls in T20 Internationals

Moazzam Bag: The Unsung Star

Malawi’s Moazzam Bag is not one of the most well-known names in cricket; however, his bowling figures in T20 are impressive. He currently leads the world in this format with three 5-wicket hauls. His spells against Swaziland (2021), Rwanda (2023) and Cameroon (2024) were all about amazing control and variety. The fact that his economy rate in T20 is less than 5 is quite incredible; the associate nations are truly producing world-class talent.

Rizwan Butt: The Bahrain Game Changer

Another rising name from Bahrain, Rizwan Butt, has taken a total of three 5-wicket hauls in his short career. His medium pace and clever seam movement have shattered the batting order from Singapore to Tanzania. In short, he has carved a niche for himself in global T20 cricket.

Varun Chakravarthy: India’s mysterious spinner

Known for his style and mysterious versatility, Varun Chakravarthy has taken 5 wickets twice in just 18 matches. He has troubled big teams like England and South Africa with his deceptive bowling. He is one of the few bowlers who can maintain an economy rate below 7 in T20Is despite bowling in the Powerplay.

Read More: Top 13 Players With Most Fifties in Cricket History (2025 Ranked)

Why 5-Wicket Hauls Matter Across Formats?  

Taking five wickets is not just a number; it is a reflection of control, skill and match-winning impact.

In Tests, it shows endurance and consistency over long periods.

In ODIs, it reflects the ability to control the pace, especially the ability to apply pressure.

In T20Is, it emphasizes accuracy under heavy batting aggression.

In other words, 5WI makes the difference between a good bowler and a great bowler.

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