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New Delhi, June 12: While the Women's T20 World Cup has produced several batting superstars over the years, championship-winning campaigns have often been built around exceptional bowling attacks.
From Australia's Megan Schutt and England's Anya Shrubsole to South Africa speedster Shabnim Ismail, some of the greatest bowlers in women's cricket have repeatedly delivered on the biggest stage. The tournament's history is filled with match-winning spells, economical bowling displays and memorable wicket hauls that changed the course of matches.
As the Women's T20 World Cup continues to evolve, here's a look at the leading wicket-takers, the best bowling performances, and where Indian bowlers rank among the all-time greats.
## Most Wickets in Women's
T20 World Cup History
Australia pacer Megan Schutt sits atop the all-time wicket charts with 48 wickets from just 29 matches. Her ability to strike in the powerplay and death overs has made her one of the most effective bowlers in tournament history.
South Africa's Shabnim Ismail and England's Anya Shrubsole complete the top three, while several all-rounders feature prominently among the leading wicket-takers.
Top 10 Wicket-Takers in Women's T20 World Cup History
| Rank | Player | Wickets | Matches | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Megan Schutt (AUS) | 48 | 29 | 11.72 |
| 2 | Shabnim Ismail (SA) | 43 | 32 | 15.25 |
| 3 | Anya Shrubsole (ENG) | 41 | 27 | 12.48 |
| 4 | Ellyse Perry (AUS) | 40 | 47 | 17.67 |
| 5 | Stafanie Taylor (WI) | 33 | 35 | 15.51 |
| 6 | Amelia Kerr (NZ) | 32 | 18 | 11.21 |
| 7 | Deandra Dottin (WI) | 31 | 35 | 11.45 |
| 8 | Marizanne Kapp (SA) | 31 | 32 | 17.80 |
| 9 | Sophie Devine (NZ) | 29 | 38 | 17.10 |
| 10 | Sophie Ecclestone (ENG) | 29 | 18 | 10.65 |
Where Do Indian Bowlers Stand?
India's highest wicket-taker in Women's T20 World Cup history is leg-spinner Poonam Yadav, who claimed 28 wickets in just 18 matches.
Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav are the only other Indian bowlers to feature among the top 30 wicket-takers.
Leading Indian Wicket-Takers
| Rank | Player | Wickets | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poonam Yadav | 28 | 18 |
| 2 | Deepti Sharma | 19 | 19 |
| 3 | Radha Yadav | 18 | 13 |
| 4 | Renuka Singh | 14 | 9 |
*Did not feature extensively in later editions due to the growth of India's spin attack.
Best Bowling Figures in Women's T20 World Cup History
Five-wicket hauls remain among the rarest achievements in Women's T20 World Cup history. Only a handful of bowlers have managed to take five wickets in an innings.
West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin owns the most devastating spell ever recorded in the tournament, returning figures of 5 for 5.
Best Bowling Figures
| Rank | Player | Figures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deandra Dottin (WI) | 5/5 |
| 2 | Sune Luus (SA) | 5/8 |
| 3 | Ashleigh Gardner (AUS) | 5/12 |
| 4 | Renuka Singh (IND) | 5/15 |
| 5 | Shabnim Ismail (SA) | 3/5 |
| 6 | Anya Shrubsole (ENG) | 3/6 |
| 7 | Sophie Ecclestone (ENG) | 3/7 |
| 8 | Salma Khatun (BAN) | 3/7 |
| 9 | Poonam Yadav (IND) | 4/19 |
| 10 | Amelia Kerr (NZ) | 4/26 |
India's Place in the Record Books
India boasts two of the most memorable bowling performances in Women's T20 World Cup history.
Renuka Singh's sensational 5/15 is one of only four five-wicket hauls in tournament history, while Poonam Yadav's 4/19 against Australia in the 2020 edition remains one of the defining spells in India's run to the final.
Best Figures by Indian Bowlers
| Rank | Player | Figures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renuka Singh | 5/15 |
| 2 | Poonam Yadav | 4/19 |
| 3 | Radha Yadav | 4/23 |
| 4 | Deepti Sharma | 3/15 |
Lowest Bowling Averages (Min. 20 Wickets)
| Rank | Player | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sophie Ecclestone (ENG) | 29 | 10.65 |
| 2 | Amelia Kerr (NZ) | 32 | 11.21 |
| 3 | Deandra Dottin (WI) | 31 | 11.45 |
| 4 | Megan Schutt (AUS) | 48 | 11.72 |
| 5 | Helen Colvin (ENG) | 20 | 11.85 |
| 6 | Anya Shrubsole (ENG) | 41 | 12.48 |
| 7 | Leigh Kasperek (NZ) | 24 | 13.00 |
| 8 | Nadine de Klerk Mlaba (SA) | 21 | 16.85 |
| 9 | Sophie Devine (NZ) | 29 | 17.10 |
| 10 | Marizanne Kapp (SA) | 31 | 17.80 |
Best Economy Rates (Minimum 20 Wickets)
| Rank | Player | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sophie Ecclestone (ENG) | 29 | 4.37 |
| 2 | Laura Marsh (ENG) | 19 | 4.45 |
| 3 | Kavisha Dilhari Prabodhani (SL) | 25 | 5.03 |
| 4 | Marizanne Kapp (SA) | 31 | 5.13 |
| 5 | Amelia Kerr (NZ) | 32 | 5.16 |
| 6 | Anya Shrubsole (ENG) | 41 | 5.32 |
| 7 | Megan Schutt (AUS) | 48 | 5.65 |
| 8 | Salma Khatun (BAN) | 22 | 5.70 |
| 9 | Marizanne Kapp (SA) | 31 | 5.13 |
| 10 | Shabnim Ismail (SA) | 43 | 5.83 |
The Indian Story
Unlike the batting charts where Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj dominate India's presence, India's bowling legacy at the Women's T20 World Cup has largely been built around spinners.
Poonam Yadav's remarkable 28 wickets remain the benchmark for Indian bowlers, while Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav continue to climb the rankings. Renuka Singh's emergence has also given India a genuine pace-bowling threat capable of matching the world's best.
With Deepti, Renuka and Radha still active, India could soon see multiple bowlers enter the tournament's all-time top 20 wicket-takers list.
For now, Poonam Yadav remains India's undisputed queen of Women's T20 World Cup bowling, while Renuka Singh owns the country's greatest bowling performance on the biggest stage.
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