Ranking top 10 current most valuable bowlers across all formats

Cricket, described as a batsman’s game, and rightly so because of the many advantages batsmen get in various facets of the game. From shorter boundary ropes to bigger bats, batsmen have it all. Even then it is said that good batsmen win you matches but good bowlers win you tournaments. Ever wondered why?

It’s because a batsman needs to be successful every time a bowler comes into bowl whereas a bowler needs to be lucky enough once to see the back of the batsman towards the dressing room. With the popularity of T20s increasing, cricket has become more biased towards the batsmen as people are excited by four and sixes and not by bowlers bowling dot balls and hitting the stumps.

However, there are some bowlers who bowl their heart & soul out and manage to do the job for the team. Such bowlers are invaluable to the success of a team. Hence, it can be safely said that till these bowlers are around the cricketing arena, batsmen will have to work hard for their runs. So let’s see the

10 most valuable bowlers in the cricketing world currently 

10. Shakib Al Hasan

Must be wondering why have Shakib has been considered as a bowler, right? But just look at his stats and what he has achieved for Bangladesh cricket. He has been the knight in shining armour & undoubtedly the best player Bangladesh has ever produced. 

Having represented Bangladesh 357 times, he has picked up 594 wickets including 22 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls. The stats are better than many bowlers, let alone all-rounders. Imagine the massive impact he must’ve had on Bangladesh cricket. 

He is the highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in all formats and still looking strong at 34-years of age. It is fair to say that Shakib Al Hasan has carried Bangladesh cricket for over a decade & still is their best bowler by a mile. 

9. Mohammed Shami

In the past few years, the Indian team has been one of the best fast bowling sides in all formats across the world which is quite impressive considering the fact there have been quite fewer Indian fast bowlers who have wreaked havoc on the opposition. One such name who has helped the mighty Indian team reach that level is Mohammed Shami.

Having represented India 143 times, he has taken 348 wickets including 6 five-wicket hauls. He was a wicket-taker from the outset but was quite expensive in the early part of his career. After revamping himself and coming to the cricket arena with the skill of bowling yorkers at the death overs, he has been a consistent part of India’s bowling lineup. 

He has one of the best seam presentations in the world which gives him the extra bounce & movement at times which can surprise batsmen quite often. With an excellent smooth run-up & action, the 30-year old can easily play for 5-6 years more of high-intensity international cricket If he takes care of his health and fitness, his name will be taken in the same breath as the likes of Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan, and Javagal Srinath. 

8. Shaheen Afridi

The current bowling group of Pakistan lacks the fear factor and skill that were synonymous words when thought about Pakistan bowlers. What could’ve been expected when Pakistan had Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, and Saqlain Mushtaq were operating. However, there is one man who is capable of inducing the same fear factor in the opposition and that’s Shaheen Afridi. 

Having represented Pakistan 75 times, he has picked up 143 wickets including four five-wicket hauls. One can wonder that these stats aren’t worthy for a place in this list, right? But remember that this man is merely 21-years old who leads the bowling attack of his country, swings the ball both ways & bowls at speeds greater than 140 km/h regularly.

If he keeps himself out of controversy (which Pakistan players are quite infamous for), he can play for more than 10 years. His potential is scaringly infinite and don’t be surprised if he goes on to win matches for his country single-handedly.

7. Josh Hazlewood

 It won’t be wrong to define Josh Hazlewood as the modern-day adaptation of the legendary Glenn McGrath. The similarity isn’t hard to find – a smooth action and consistently hitting on the right areas. A modern-day fast bowler following the so-called coach’s manual – trying to swing the ball at a fourth or fifth stump line is so pleasing to watch. 

Having represented Australia 118 times, he has picked up 326 wickets including 12 five-wicket hauls. The 30-year-old is preserved by his country to play the longer formats & sometimes is given the taste of T20 cricket. He may not be great at the death but he is a wonderful exponent of the new ball.

He uses his height to great effect and bowls nasty lines & lengths which are difficult for batsmen to face. He may not end up as one of the best fast bowlers of all time, but his name would surely be in the conversation of one of the greatest servants of Australian cricket. 

6. Rashid Khan

An absolute no-brainer for this list, Rashid Khan is considered as the best white-ball spinner in today’s time. The only reason why he isn’t placed higher in the rankings is because of his country playing very few Test matches. 

Having represented Afghanistan 130 times, he has picked up 269 wickets including 10 five-wicket hauls. Even though the opposition knows he is the biggest threat & tries to play him without taking much risk, Khan manages to take crucial wickets in the middle overs to break the momentum of a team.

He spins the ball both ways at over 90 km/h which is his biggest strength as the batsmen don’t have enough time to read him and play accordingly. Still only 22 years old, if he continues to work hard and woo batsmen, don’t be surprised if his name comes in the same breath as Shane Warne & Muttiah Muralitharan.

5. Trent Boult 

One can believe in the line one of the commentators said during a match – “If Trent Boult isn’t able to swing the ball, there’s no swing.” There isn’t a more iconic bowling pair than Boult-Southee in the history of New Zealand cricket. He is captain Kane’s go-to man. Every time the Kiwis are in trouble, Boult is given the ball to cause a breakthrough. 

Having represented New Zealand 200 times, he has taken 507 wickets including 13 five-wicket hauls and a solitary ten-wicket haul. He is one of the most lethal bowlers to face in swinging conditions especially to right-handed batsmen as he swings the ball sharply leading to an LBW and can also make the ball move away through the angle for a caught behind or a catch in the slip cordon. 

He is the best left-arm fast bowler ever produced by the Kiwis. The 32-year old is extremely sweet and mellow off the field but remains absolutely true to his name on the field – a thunderbolt for the opposition. It is quite obvious that Trent Boult will end his career as New Zealand’s highest wicket-taker.

4. Mitchell Starc

How can we forget the world’s best current left-arm fast bowler and probably Australia’s best in this list, Mitchell Starc is a name that instills fear in the minds of the best of batsmen. One of the sweetest guys off the field, he will do anything to make his country win. He is one bowler who doesn’t play T20 leagues across the world so that he is 100% fit for all his international matches and has received praise from fans across the globe for this act.

Having represented Australia 201 times, he has picked up 501 wickets including 21 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls. He has been the go-to bowler for the Aussies for about half a decade now. He is one bowler who is as lethal with the old ball as with the new ball. He has mastered the art of reverse swing and goes around the wicket to rattle batsmens’ stumps.

He has been the highest wicket-taker of 2015 as well as the 2019 WC. He also has the most five-wicket hauls in the history of ODI cricket, a record that shows his consistency and ability to provide breakthroughs. A bold prediction but one can still say – When the conversation about the best-left arm fast bowlers arise, Mitchell Starc’s name will be taken in the same breath as Wasim Akram’s. 

3. Kagiso Rabada

 The Protea bowling attack is led by one of the best fast bowlers in the world & undoubtedly South Africa’s best fast bowler currently, Kagiso Rabada. He immediately flashed into the eyes of the senior national team selectors when he clocked speeds greater than 140 km/h in the 2014 U-19 WC which they went on to win. He is one bowler whose four overs can make or break the game for the Proteas. 

Having represented South Africa 158 times, he has picked up 424 wickets including 11 five-wicket hauls and four ten-wicket hauls. Rabada would be disappointed with his bowling economy stats and would look to improve it. But it is because he bowls the toughest overs of the game and is immediately brought into the attack when the captain wants a wicket.

His hostile pace bowling, whether with the new or old ball, creates a sense of excitement. Despite his disciplinary difficulties, South African cricket will be looking to him to help them reclaim their glory days. If the 26-year-old continues to wreak havoc on batsmen throughout his career, he can become the greatest fast bowler in the history of South African cricket.

2. Jasprit Bumrah

Indian cricket fans must be extremely happy to see their fast bowling unit troubling the best of the batsmen across formats. And talking about the current lot of Indian fast bowlers, how can one not talk about the most skillful fast bowler, the leader of the pack, Jasprit Bumrah. He has gained immense popularity due to his skill & bowling action. Kids across India love to copy his bowling action.

He was picked by the Mumbai Indians in 2013 and ever since, it has been a rollercoaster ride for him. He couldn’t have asked for a better franchise because who better to guide him than Lasith Malinga, who had tasted immense success in international cricket with a not so pretty action. Bumrah has publicly claimed many times that Malinga taught him the art of bowling yorkers consistently. Having represented India 117 times, he has picked up 259 wickets including six five-wicket hauls.

With his unique bowling action and short run-up, he creates an angle that makes it extremely difficult for batsmen to line him up. His quick arm action also allows him to bowl his variations without batsmen having any clue about them. Boom-Boom Bumrah is one of the most skillful bowlers the world has ever seen, so it becomes imperative for the Indian cricket team to manage his workload. He still has many years left in international cricket & he is expected to break many records along with toes.

1. Pat Cummins

 The 18-year-old young boy burst onto the international scene by taking a six-fer in his debut Test match against the mighty Proteas at Wanderers in 2011. This boy is none other than Pat Cummins, who was expected to break all fast bowling records of the Aussies. However, a fragile body meant he couldn’t capitalize on his dream debut and was out of the national squad for six years due to injury.

However, in the 2016-17 season, it was visible that Pat Cummins was as ready as ever and hasn’t looked back since then. Through his relentless intensity, pace, and skill of swinging the ball both ways, he was a threat to any opposition in any condition. Having represented Australia 133 times, he has picked up 312 wickets including six five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul. 

With age on his side, the 28-year-old has a good five-six years of high-intensity international cricket. The best part is to see him bowl long crucial spells without showing any signs of tiredness in the worst of conditions. He is probably the front runner for the captaincy of the national team especially in Test cricket and that this can bring out an even more dangerous Pat Cummins.