India vs Australia: Top 6 wicket takers in ODI World Cups 

India and Australia have seen some of the best bowlers in the history of ODIs. Many of these bowlers have helped their team in the ODI World Cup, the biggest tournament in ODIs. The two teams will face each other in the ODI World Cup again in 2023. This time around, the two teams will play their league stage match in Chennai, a venue known for spinners.

There will be a lot of assistance for the bowlers. Hence, bowlers will be key in the clash between the two giants of cricket in the 2023 ODI World Cup. As far as the bowlers of these two teams are concerned, here are the top wicket takers in the ODI World Cup history in the matches between the two teams. 

1. Kapil Dev

The former Indian captain played a key role in India’s ODI World Cup campaign in 1983 which they won. In the tournament, India faced Australia twice. In one of those games, Kapil was the best performer with the ball, despite India losing the match. The former Indian pacer claimed 5/43 in his 12 overs. The All-rounder has the most wickets (9) in the matches between India and Australia in the ODI World Cups.

2. Craig McDermott

Craig McDermott played a key role in Australia’s maiden World Cup triumph in 1987. Australia won the tournament despite being considered as one of the underdogs. In the group stage match against India, Australia won by just a run. McDermott claimed 4/56 in his 10 overs and helped Australia to win in Chennai. The former World Cup winner has 8 wickets against India in ODI World Cups. 

3. Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh has 8 wickets against India in the ODI World Cups. Along with McDermott, Waugh is the joint second-highest wicket taker in ODI World Cup in the matches between India and Australia. The former Australian captain managed to claim a wicket in almost every match he played against India. The former World Cup winner has 8 wickets against India in ODI World Cups.

4. Damien Fleming

Damien Fleming helped Australia in the 1999 ODI World Cup campaign. Against India, Fleming has 7 wickets in ODI World Cups. The right-arm pacer’s best performance against India came in the 1996 ODI World Cup match. Fleming claimed 5/36 in his 9 overs against India in Mumbai, a game that Australia won by 16 runs. 

5. Glenn McGrath

Glenn McGrath, who is considered as one of the greatest bowlers of All-time, has 7 wickets against India in the ODI World Cup. McGrath was a legend in ODIs, particularly in the World Cups. The pacer who was known for his accuracy, destroyed the Indian batting lineup in the 1999 World Cup, when he claimed 3/34 in his 10 overs at The Oval and helped Australia to win the match by 77 runs. 

6. Ken MacLeay

Ken MacLeay is perhaps the least known bowler in the list. But the former Australian bowler bowled a sensational spell in the 1983 ODI World Cup match against India. In his 11.5 overs, MacLeay bowled 3 maiden overs and claimed 6 wickets by conceding only 39 runs. As a result‌, Australia won the first ever match against India in the ODI World Cup by a whopping 162 runs. The former pacer has 7 wickets against India in ODI World Cups.