In 2025, bowling truly became the heart of success across all formats, with wicket-takers playing a pivotal role in determining match outcomes. Throughout the year, bowlers consistently claimed wickets at key moments, never allowing batters to find their rhythm. Whether it was in Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, their knack for breaking partnerships at critical junctures shifted the momentum in favor of their teams. Many of these wickets were taken under intense pressure, often turning the tide of the contests. Top 5 Bowlers With Most International Wickets in 2025 Jacob Duffy Jacob Duffy, the New Zealand seamer, had an incredible year in 2025, finishing as the top wicket-taker across all international formats. This right-arm pacer took an impressive 81 wickets in 36 matches, boasting an average of 17.11 and an economy rate of 4.26. Duffy truly stood tall in Test cricket, where he snatched up 25 wickets in just four matches, averaging an outstanding 16.28, including several five-wicket hauls. In the white-ball formats, he wrapped up the year with 53 T20I wickets at a strike rate of 13.8, while also making significant contributions in ODIs. With senior bowlers out for extended periods, Duffy stepped up to lead the attack, delivering match-winning performances both at home and overseas. Blessing Muzarabani Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe’s standout fast bowler, had an incredible year, wrapping it up with a total of 65 wickets across all formats. He played in 31 matches and bowled close to 400 overs, making a significant impact with an average of 27.58 and an economy rate of 4.50. The pinnacle of his season was undoubtedly his career-best performance of 7/58. His talent made him a formidable opponent both at home and abroad, and his ability to take wickets was crucial for Zimbabwe's success. Unfortunately, a back injury sidelined him towards the end of the year, but he still managed to secure the second spot on this list. Also Read | What is Snickometer? The Technology That Made Waves in The Ashes and How It Differs from UltraEdge Matt Henry New Zealand's fast bowler Matt Henry had an incredible bowling season in 2025, wrapping up the year as the third-highest wicket-taker in international cricket. He took a remarkable 61 wickets across all formats. Henry was brilliant in white-ball cricket, especially after making his return to regular ODI play, where he led the ODI wicket charts with 31 wickets in just 13 innings, boasting an impressive average of 18.58 and a strike rate of 21.5. His knack for taking wickets with the new ball and his effectiveness at the death made him New Zealand’s go-to pace bowler. One of his standout performances was in the final ODI against the West Indies, where he claimed 4/43, earning him the Player of the Match award and helping secure a series sweep. Even in Tests and T20Is, Henry proved his worth across different conditions and formats. Ali Dawood Ali Dawood had an incredible year in 2025, establishing himself as one of Bahrain’s most dependable match-winners in T20I cricket, which is the only format he competes in at the international level. Over the course of 37 T20Is this year, the right-arm pacer took an impressive 63 wickets. He wrapped up the year with an average of 11.28 and a strike rate of 12.3. Dawood’s knack for taking early wickets and his effectiveness in the final overs made him a persistent threat in various conditions. His standout performance of 7/19 was particularly remarkable. With an economy rate of 5.47, he not only claimed wickets but also kept the runs under control. Kuldeep Yadav In 2025, star spinner Kuldeep Yadav truly shone as the only Indian cricketer to land a spot among the top five wicket-takers in all formats. The left-arm wrist-spinner had a stellar year, claiming 60 wickets in just 25 matches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. He boasted an impressive bowling average of 20.48 and an economy rate of 4.58. Kuldeep’s knack for taking wickets during the middle overs proved vital for India, particularly in white-ball cricket, where his clever variations consistently disrupted partnerships and kept the scoring in check. This year, he played pivotal roles in India’s triumphant Champions Trophy and Asia Cup campaigns, and he also shone with the red ball whenever he got the chance.