Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav is on the verge of a significant career achievement, needing just nine more wickets to reach the 200-wicket mark in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Should he achieve this feat, he will become only the ninth Indian bowler to join this elite club. This milestone could be reached as India kicks off its ODI series against New Zealand this Sunday in Vadodara, where Yadav is expected to play a crucial role as a primary spin option.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Impressive ODI Journey
Throughout his ODI career, Kuldeep has taken 191 wickets across 117 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 26.29. His best performance includes figures of 6 wickets for 25 runs. He also boasts nine four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls. Providing historical context, the leading Indian wicket-taker in ODIs remains legendary spinner Anil Kumble, who claimed 334 scalps in 269 matches at an average of 30.83, with a best of 6/12, along with eight four-fers and two five-fers.
Joining the Elite Indian Bowlers Club
Other notable Indian bowlers who have surpassed the 200-ODI wicket milestone include pacers Javagal Srinath (315 wickets), Ajit Agarkar (288 wickets), Zaheer Khan (269 wickets), and Mohammed Shami (206 wickets). Spinners Harbhajan Singh (255 wickets) and Ravindra Jadeja (232 wickets), along with all-rounder Kapil Dev (253 wickets), are also part of this distinguished group. Kuldeep Yadav enters the upcoming series in strong form, having had an excellent 2025 season in ODIs where he secured 19 wickets from 11 matches at an average of 29.00, including two four-wicket hauls and a best of 4/41.
