The ICC Champions Trophy, formerly known as the ICC KnockOut, has always been a tournament where bowlers played a vital role in deciding matches. With fewer games than other ICC tournaments, bowlers needed to deliver consistently and make immediate impacts. Only the most skillful and disciplined bowlers managed to leave a lasting mark. The fight for the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History has been remarkable because it reflects not just wickets, but the ability to perform under pressure, contain runs, and strike at the right moments. Many of the world’s best bowlers earned their place in history through their performances in this prestigious tournament. In this article, we explore the top 10 bowlers with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History, starting from number 10 and going to number 1.
List of 10 Bowlers with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History
10. Chaminda Vaas
Chaminda Vaas, Sri Lanka’s dependable new-ball bowler, was renowned for his swing and pinpoint accuracy. He could consistently make batters play early shots, often producing breakthroughs in critical moments. In the ICC Champions Trophy, Vaas played 16 matches and took 18 wickets. His best performance of 2/6 showed how economical and effective he could be. His economy rate of just 3.93 runs per over underlines how difficult it was to score off him. Vaas’s discipline and ability to keep things tight put him among the leading bowlers with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 494 | 18 | 2/6 | 3.93 |
9. Mervyn Dillon
Mervyn Dillon was a fiery pacer from the West Indies who combined bounce and movement to trouble batters consistently. In the ICC Champions Trophy, Dillon played 7 matches and took 19 wickets at remarkable efficiency. His standout performance of 5/29 demonstrated his ability to dominate in favorable conditions. Dillon’s economy of 4.66 ensured that he not only took wickets but also restricted scoring. Despite playing fewer matches than others, he earned a deserved place among the bowlers with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 317 | 19 | 5/29 | 4.66 |
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8. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis, one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders, contributed significantly with the ball in ICC Champions Trophy matches. Using medium pace and smart bowling, he often broke partnerships and controlled the game. Kallis played 17 matches in the tournament and picked up 20 wickets. His best performance of 5/30 showcased his match-winning capability. Kallis’s economy rate of 4.92 runs per over reflects how he kept batters under pressure while providing breakthroughs, earning him a spot among the bowlers with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 525 | 20 | 5/30 | 4.92 |
7. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja has been a key figure in India’s ICC tournament campaigns. His left-arm spin not only restricted runs but also helped India take crucial middle-over wickets. In the ICC Champions Trophy, Jadeja played 15 matches and took 21 wickets, with his best figures being 5/36. His economy rate of 4.68 shows how he balanced containment and wicket-taking ability. Combined with his exceptional fielding, Jadeja contributed massively to India’s success and ranks among bowlers with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 586 | 21 | 5/36 | 4.68 |
6. James Anderson
James Anderson, England’s swing master, was highly effective in ICC Champions Trophy matches. His ability to move the ball both ways made him extremely dangerous, particularly with the new ball. Anderson played 12 matches and captured 21 wickets. His best figures of 3/20 illustrate his control and knack for breaking partnerships at crucial stages. With an economy rate of 4.50, Anderson consistently put batters under pressure and is rightfully among the bowlers with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 457 | 21 | 3/20 | 4.50 |
5. Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath, one of cricket’s most accurate fast bowlers, dominated in the ICC Champions Trophy. He played 12 matches and took 21 wickets at an economy of 4.03. His best bowling performance of 5/37 reflects his ability to deliver under pressure and dismantle top-order line-ups. McGrath’s control and consistency made him a constant threat and placed him among the elite bowlers with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 412 | 21 | 5/37 | 4.03 |
4. Brett Lee
Brett Lee, one of the fastest bowlers of his generation, terrorized batters with pace and aggression. In the ICC Champions Trophy, he played 16 matches and took 22 wickets. His best performance of 3/38 combined with an economy of 4.79 demonstrated his ability to take wickets while controlling runs. Lee’s explosive bowling made him a key figure and secured his place among those with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 591 | 22 | 3/38 | 4.79 |
3. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan, the legendary off-spinner, dazzled in the ICC Champions Trophy. He played 17 matches and took 24 wickets with a best of 4/15. His economy rate of 3.60 shows how miserly he was in controlling runs while also striking at critical moments. Murali’s variations and accuracy gave Sri Lanka an unmatched spin advantage, making him one of the top bowlers with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 484 | 24 | 4/15 | 3.60 |
2. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga, with his deadly yorkers and unorthodox action, struck fear into batters in the ICC Champions Trophy. He played 16 matches and took 25 wickets. His best bowling figures of 4/34 and economy rate of 5.31 illustrate how he could both restrict runs and deliver breakthroughs. Malinga’s consistency in taking wickets in crunch situations places him among the greatest bowlers with the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 766 | 25 | 4/34 | 5.31 |
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1. Kyle Mills
Kyle Mills leads the list for the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History. Representing New Zealand, Mills was precise and highly effective with the new ball. He played 15 matches and took 28 wickets, the highest in the tournament’s history. His best performance of 4/30 and economy of 4.29 demonstrate his ability to deliver match-winning spells. Mills’ consistency made him New Zealand’s most reliable strike bowler and secured his record as the top wicket-taker in ICC Champions Trophy history.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 483 | 28 | 4/30 | 4.29 |
The ICC Champions Trophy may no longer be a regular feature in the cricketing calendar, but the achievements of its top bowlers continue to inspire. Bowlers like Chaminda Vaas, James Anderson, Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, and Kyle Mills have defined how discipline, skill, and tactical brilliance can dominate in limited matches. Kyle Mills, holding the record for the Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History, exemplifies consistency and match-winning ability. Each player on this list left a legacy that defines excellence in Champions Trophy cricket, proving that taking wickets is as much about intelligence and control as it is about pace or spin.