Historic Feat: Mohammed Shami Becomes Fastest Indian to 200 ODI Wickets

Published on: February 20, 2025

Historic Feat: Mohammed Shami Becomes Fastest Indian to 200 ODI Wickets

Mohammed Shami Becomes Fastest Indian to 200 ODI Wickets: A Historic Feat

Star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has achieved a monumental milestone in his illustrious ODI career. The 34-year-old speedster reached 200 wickets in ODI cricket, becoming the fastest Indian bowler to achieve this landmark. He attained the feat during India’s opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh in Dubai.

Shami reached the 200-wicket mark with his third dismissal of the match, etching his name into the record books. Not only is he the fastest Indian to achieve this milestone, but he also stands joint-second fastest overall in world cricket. This achievement further solidifies his status as one of India’s premier fast bowlers, known for his ability to generate seam movement and raw pace to trouble batters across all conditions.

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Shami’s Stellar ODI Career

Shami has been an integral part of India’s ODI setup for over a decade. His ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with his sheer pace, has made him one of India’s most dependable wicket-takers in limited-overs cricket.

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A Decade of Excellence

Having made his ODI debut in January 2013 against Pakistan, Shami quickly established himself as a lethal fast bowler. Over the years, he has been a match-winner for India, especially in high-pressure tournaments like the World Cup and Champions Trophy.

His statistics speak volumes about his consistency and effectiveness:

• Matches Played: 104
• Wickets Taken: 200
• Bowling Average: Under 25
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 5
• Four-Wicket Hauls: 10

These numbers highlight Shami’s impact in ODI cricket. His ability to strike early with the new ball and come back to break partnerships in the middle and death overs has been a key factor in India’s success.

Eighth Indian to Achieve 200 ODI Wickets

Shami has now joined an elite group of Indian bowlers by becoming only the eighth Indian to claim 200 wickets in ODIs. This list features some of India’s finest bowlers across generations, including both pacers and spinners.

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Most ODI Wickets for India

1. Anil Kumble – 334 wickets
2. Javagal Srinath – 315 wickets
3. Ajit Agarkar – 288 wickets
4. Zaheer Khan – 269 wickets
5. Harbhajan Singh – 265 wickets
6. Kapil Dev – 253 wickets
7. Ravindra Jadeja – 226 wickets
8. Mohammed Shami – 200 wickets* (Fastest Indian to achieve this feat)

Anil Kumble, India’s legendary leg-spinner, holds the record for the most ODI wickets, with 334 scalps to his name. However, among fast bowlers, Shami has now surpassed several legendary names in terms of speed to 200 wickets, reinforcing his place as one of India’s finest ODI pacers.

Fastest Indian to 200 ODI Wickets: Breaking Ajit Agarkar’s Record

Before Shami, the record for the fastest Indian to 200 ODI wickets was held by Ajit Agarkar, who took 133 matches to reach the milestone. Shami shattered this record by achieving the feat in just 104 ODIs, 29 matches quicker than Agarkar.

Only three other Indian bowlers have taken less than 150 ODIs to complete 200 wickets, making Shami’s achievement even more remarkable.

Fastest Indian Bowlers to 200 ODI Wickets

1. Mohammed Shami – 104 matches
2. Ajit Agarkar – 133 matches
3. Zaheer Khan – 144 matches
4. Javagal Srinath – 146 matches

Shami’s ability to strike regularly and maintain a high wicket-taking rate has made him a key asset for Team India in ODIs.

Joint-Second Fastest Overall to 200 ODI Wickets

Shami not only holds the record for the fastest Indian to 200 ODI wickets but also ranks joint-second fastest in world cricket.

Fastest Bowlers to 200 ODI Wickets (World Record Holders)
1. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 102 matches
2. Mohammed Shami (India) – 104 matches
3. Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan) – 104 matches

The fastest to reach 200 wickets in ODIs remains Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who achieved the milestone in 102 games. Shami equaled Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq, who also took 104 matches to reach the landmark.

Shami’s elite company in this record list highlights his exceptional wicket-taking prowess in the format.

Shami’s Feat: 100 ODI Wickets in Asia

Another major milestone that Shami reached in the same match against Bangladesh was completing 100 ODI wickets in Asia. With his first wicket in the game, he became part of an elite group of bowlers with 100-plus scalps in the subcontinent and surrounding regions.

Key Stats for Shami in Asia

• Matches Played: 53
• Wickets Taken: 102
• Bowling Average: 24+
• Four-Wicket Hauls: 5
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 5
• Best Figures: 7/57

Notably, 87 out of his 102 wickets in Asia have come in India, where he has maintained an average of 24.89. His ability to extract movement even on slow and dry subcontinental pitches makes him a deadly weapon for India in home conditions.

Shami’s Best ODI Performances

Over the years, Shami has produced several match-winning spells in ODIs. Some of his most memorable performances include:

1. 7/57 vs New Zealand (2023 World Cup)
• Best-ever bowling figures by an Indian in ODI World Cups
• Led India to victory in the semi-final

2. 5/18 vs West Indies (2019 World Cup)
• Destroyed the Windies batting lineup
• Helped India secure a crucial World Cup win

3. 4/16 vs Afghanistan (2019 World Cup)
• Took a hat-trick in the final over
• Defended 16 runs to secure a thrilling win

Shami’s ability to deliver in crucial moments has made him a go-to bowler for India in ICC tournaments.

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Conclusion: A Fast-Bowling Legend in the Making

Mohammed Shami’s record-breaking journey in ODI cricket is a testament to his skill, determination, and perseverance. Becoming the fastest Indian to 200 ODI wickets and the joint-second fastest overall is a feat that highlights his world-class abilities as a fast bowler.

With over a decade of international experience, Shami continues to be a key player for India in ODIs. As he moves forward in his career, he will look to add more milestones to his name and further cement his legacy as one of India’s greatest pacers.

With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 underway, India will heavily rely on Shami’s experience and wicket-taking ability to mount a strong title challenge. If his current form is anything to go by, the best is yet to come from the Indian speedster.