In 2025, bowling once again was the backbone of success across formats, with wicket-takers consistently dictating match outcomes. Throughout the year,
bowlers picked wickets at regular intervals and never allowed batters to settle. Whether in Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, their ability to break partnerships at crucial moments swung momentum in their teams’ favour. Many of these wickets came under pressure, often turning contests.
Here are 5 bowlers with most international wickets in 2025
5. Kuldeep Yadav (India)
Star spinnerKuldeep Yadav stood out in 2025 as the only Indian cricketer to feature among the top five wicket-takers across all formats. The left-arm wrist-spinner enjoyed a consistent run, picking up 60 wickets in 25 matches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. He maintained a bowling average of 20.48 and an economy rate of 4.58.
Kuldeep’s ability to pick wickets in the middle overs was important for India, especially in white-ball cricket, where his variations regularly broke partnerships and slowed scoring rates. This year alone, he played crucial roles during India's victorious Champions Trophy and Asia Cup campaigns, and also excelled with the red ball in the limited opportunities.
4. Ali Dawood (Bahrain)
Ali Dawood enjoyed a standout year in 2025, being one of Bahrain’s most reliable match-winners in T20I cricket, the only format he plays at the international level. In 37 T20Is this year, the right-arm pacer claimed 63 wickets. He ended the year with an average of 11.28 and a strike rate of 12.3.
Dawood’s ability to pick early wickets and return at the death made him a constant threat across conditions. His best performance of 7/19 stood out. With an economy rate of 5.47, he not only picked wickets but also kept runs in check.
3. Matt Henry (New Zealand)
New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry put together one of the most impressive bowling seasons of 2025, finishing the year as the third-highest wicket-taker in international cricket. Across formats, Henry has picked up 61 wickets. The pacer was particularly outstanding in white-ball cricket. After returning to regular ODI action, he topped the ODI wicket charts in 2025 with 31 scalps in just 13 innings, averaging 18.58 with a strike rate of 21.5.
His ability to strike with the new ball and return at the death made him New Zealand’s most reliable pace option. His most notable moment came in the final ODI against the West Indies, where his 4/43 earned him Player of the Match and sealed a series sweep. Even in Tests and T20Is, Henry displayed his value across conditions and formats.
2. Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe)
Zimbabwe’s ace fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani enjoyed a memorable year, finishing the year with 65 wickets across formats. Featuring in 31 matches and bowling nearly 400 overs, Muzarabani made a match-winning impact, averaging 27.58 while having an economy rate of 4.50.
The highlight of his year was a career-best 7/58. His skills made him a constant threat both at home and away, while his knack for picking wickets was important for Zimbabwe. However, a back injury ruled him out late in the year, but he still finished second on this list.
1. Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)
New Zealand seamer, Jacob Duffy, had a remarkable 2025 by finishing as the highest wicket-taker across all international formats. The right-arm pacer picked up 81 wickets in 36 matches during the year, at an average of 17.11 and an economy rate of 4.26.
Duffy was at his lethal best in Test cricket, where he claimed 25 wickets in just four matches at an average of 16.28, including multiple five-wicket hauls. In white-ball formats, he ended the year with 53 T20I wickets at a strike rate of 13.8, while also contributing in ODIs. With senior bowlers sidelined for long periods, Duffy took up the responsibility of leading the attack and delivered match-winning spells at home and abroad.
