Top 5 ODI wicket-takers in 2017
In what was an action-packed year for the 50-over format, the various sparring teams provided cricket aficionados with plenty of memorable ODI matches in 2017. The year began when Australia defeated Pakistan by 92 runs at Brisbane and ended when New Zealand thumped West Indies by 66 runs in a rain-curtailed encounter at Christchurch. As many as 131 ODIs took place in the calendar year.
Also Read: Top 5 ODI run-scorers in 2017
Let us now take a close look at the top five wicket-takers in ODIs held in 2017. In what can be construed as an indicator of things to come in the foreseeable future, only one spinner has managed to feature among the most successful bowlers of the year. With the modern-day 50-over game calling for bustling pace along with an assortment of variations, it is no surprise that the list is dominated by fast bowlers.
#5 Trent Boult & Hardik Pandya - 31 wickets each
With 31 wickets each, Trent Boult and Hardik Pandya jointly occupy the fifth spot in the year's most productive bowlers. While the New Zealand pacer took those scalps from just 16 matches at an impressive average of 24.58 and economy-rate of 5.27, the Indian all-rounder needed 28 matches to procure the same number of wickets at an average of 35.51 and economy-rate of 5.57.
2017 saw Pandya make sizeable strides in his aspirations of becoming the seam bowling all-rounder that India have been craving for. Skipper Virat Kohli examined the right-armer's skills by using him at different stages of the game. The 24-year old stood up to the challenge by holding his own even as plenty of batsmen tried to take the attack to him.
Despite playing far lesser matches than his competitors from other countries, Boult was still able to make a significant impact on the ODI circuit. His 6/33 propelled New Zealand to a narrow victory in a series deciding clash at Hamilton. The left-armer ended the year with a flurry of wickets against West Indies. His 7/34 at Christchurch was the second best bowling figures in New Zealand's ODI history.