Reaching 100 wickets in any form of cricket is quite special, as it shows a bowler’s effectiveness in the long run. It means that the bowler is consistent, and it also gives their confidence a huge boost.
Confidence in cricket is important for a spinner, as they have the ability to change the game on its head through an impactful spell and, at the same time, can go for runs when the day is not theirs.
So picking up regular wickets keeps them going, and the spinners are an essential cog for a bowling team in the middle overs of an ODI innings. This is the phase where batters consolidate, and a great spinner will find ways to take wickets.
So here are the top 10 spinners who have taken the fastest 100 wickets in ODIs. Though it is a personal milestone, the success of the team because of this achievement will be quite high.
Fastest Spin Bowlers to 100 ODI Wickets
| Player | Matches to 100 Wickets | Time Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Sandeep Lamichanne (NEP) | 42 | 4y 263d |
| Rashid Khan (AFG) | 44 | 2y 158d |
| Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK) | 53 | 1y 225d |
| Kuldeep Yadav (IND) | 58 | 2y 208d |
| Imran Tahir (SA) | 58 | 5y 112d |
| Shane Warne (AUS) | 60 | 3y 257d |
| Yuzvendra Chahal (IND) | 60 | 5y 240d |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 63 | 5y 107d |
| Adam Zampa (AUS) | 65 | 6y 51d |
| Adil Rashid (ENG) | 67 | 8y 293d |
Key insights from the above stats
8: Of the 10 spin bowlers to have taken 100 ODI wickets the quickest, 8 of them are leg spinners, and only 2 are off spinners.
42: Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichanne has taken the fewest games in ODI history to go past the 100-wicket mark, has one of the lowest strike rates for any bowler who has taken over 100 wickets, and has one of the lowest bowling averages.
53: Saqlain Mushtaq was the 3rd fastest to 100 ODI wickets and became the fastest to breach the 250 wickets landmark in due course.
